GUWAHATI, Feb 7 � What could have turned into a major blaze threatening prime business property in Kamarpatty was contained today after fire brigade personnel responded promptly with the support of local residents. However, an office of the Bank of India was damaged by fire, which resulted in the destruction of some official papers.
There were no injuries to anyone in the premises, sources in the bank stated. The fire broke out around 12.10 pm in the Deb Building, a structure dating back to 1951. The source was traced to a short-circuit in generator room of the office.
Around 10 minutes after the fire brigade was alerted ,the first fire tender arrived on the spot and fire fighting operations started. Later, other fire tenders also joined in and the fire was doused within 15 minutes, chief bank manager Prashant Singh stated.
Soon after the fire started some local people also helped in evacuating the nearby premises. Jiyarul Mallik, a resident of Machkhowa single handedly removed many two-wheelers parked close to the building, while the police cordoned off part of the busy HB Road in front of the building.
Sources at the bank stated that normal operations would resume from Thursday, and added that nothing of great value was lost in the blaze.
