Shillong (Meghalaya), Oct 14: Footage circulating on social media shows flames racing up in the rise building near Payal Cinema at Thana Road here.
The fire broke out in a building at Thana Road in Police Bazar on Saturday afternoon around 1.30 pm in which one person identified as Sampath Kumar died due to suffocation.
The emergency and rescue teams from The Indian Airforce, Indian Army, Assam Rifles, SDRF along with state Police, Fire Department were all pressed to service to control the inferno.
A corner of the building was seen engulfed in flames reaching to the top.
Dense smoke was seen coming out of the building as emergency fire service were seen trying to reach the building through the narrow lanes.
In a video the fire can be seen forming towards the top of the building. The building has been left with extensive damage and there were reports of at least one causality from the incident.
The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Miraculously, the Jagannath Mandir complex situated next to the building was safe and untouched.
CM Conrad Sangma in a statement said, ” Concerned about the fire incident that occurred today in Jail Road, Police Bazar, Shillong that caused huge loss to life and property. Have asked the District Administration to assess the damages and to assist the families affected by the incident.”
Fire tenders were rushed to the spot, but it allegedly took them a lot of time to reach the actual spot due to the narrow lanes.
For hours there was massive traffic jam in the entire city .
