SHILLONG: A major fire broke out near Sohra Stand, close to the Angalee Cinema Hall and behind Goenka Market in Shillong, shortly after 4 pm on Friday, reducing around 40 makeshift houses to ashes and triggering panic in the densely populated area.
Superintendent of Police, East Khasi Hills, Vivek Syiem said that the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. Fire and emergency service personnel, along with police teams, were rushed to the spot and were still engaged in dousing the flames at the time of reporting.
“The exact extent of the damage and the cause of the fire are yet to be determined,” Syiem said, adding that no casualties have been reported so far.
The incident marks the second major fire in Shillong within 24 hours, raising concerns over fire safety in the city. On Thursday, a fire had broken out on the top floor of the newly constructed Shillong Engineering College, damaging equipment belonging to the Sports and Youth Affairs Department.
Authorities have initiated preliminary assessments, and further details are awaited as firefighting operations continue.
