SHILLONG: A massive late-night fire swept through the bustling Laban Last Stop market in Shillong on Wednesday, gutting around six to seven small shops.
The blaze broke out at approximately 8:45 pm, causing severe damage to a section of the commercial hub before firefighters managed to bring the situation under control.
The fire tore through various local businesses, including fruit and vegetable stalls, meat and fish shops, tea stalls, a saloon, and local teer counters. Panic briefly spread among residents, who quickly raised the alarm as flames engulfed the vendor stalls.
Responding promptly, two fire tenders from the Iewduh Fire Station were dispatched to the scene.
According to Station Officer Dinesh Rai, the fire call was received at 9:02 pm, and firefighting vehicles arrived within three minutes.
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Fire personnel brought the flames under control within five minutes of arrival and fully extinguished the fire after 20 minutes of continuous efforts. Their swift and coordinated response prevented the fire from spreading to adjacent structures in the crowded market.
While the incident caused extensive damage to a section of the market and destroyed several livelihoods, no casualties or injuries were reported.
Officer Rai confirmed that six to seven shops suffered heavy damage in the incident.
An investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the fire, and authorities are currently assessing the total estimated financial loss.
(4FrontMedia news)
