A devastating fire broke out in Hapania Bazar located in the outskirt of Agartala city on Saturday morning, gutting six shops and causing losses estimated in lakhs of rupees.
The incident has triggered panic and shock among local traders and residents.
According to initial reports, the fire originated from a suspected cylinder explosion at a tiffin shop.
Within minutes, the flames engulfed five other adjacent shops, including four fast food stalls, a sweet shop, and a fruit shop. The inferno quickly turned uncontrollable, reducing the shops to ashes before emergency services could intervene.
Eyewitnesses said the fire spread rapidly, creating chaos in the marketplace.
The Tripura Fire and Emergency Services was immediately alerted, and two fire engines rushed to the scene.
Fire fighters managed to bring the blaze under control, preventing it from spreading further.
The affected shop owners claimed that the fire caused substantial financial damage, with goods and property worth lakhs destroyed.
Responding swiftly, Agartala Municipal Corporation Mayor and MLA Dipak Majumdar visited the site and interacted with the victims.
He assured the traders of all possible assistance from the government and the municipal corporation.
“The administration stands firmly with the victims in this time of crisis,” Majumdar said.
Area MLA Mana Rani Sarkar, southern zone chairperson and corporator Abhijit Mallick, corporator Bapi Das, and local corporator Sabita Kar were also present during the inspection.
An investigation has been initiated to ascertain the exact cause of the fire.
