GUWAHATI, March 31 � Over 25 shops were gutted in the inferno that broke out at Maligaon late last night. The damage caused has been estimated at several crores of rupees.
As many as 35 fire tenders had to be rushed in to douse the devastating fire that continued to wreak havoc in the area till 4 am this morning.
The fire which reportedly emanated from Assam Cycle Store around 11:30 pm gutted five adjacent shops, including a book store and a garment shop, besides partially damaging a number of other establishments located in the proximity.
Terming it as one of the worst incidents of fire to have occurred in the city, sources in the State Fire Service Organization, said that fire tenders were rushed in from Indian Oil Corporation and the LGBI International Airport, besides those available with the fire services.
�Apparently, the fire originated from the cycle shop and once it came in contact with two cooking gas cylinders, it engulfed a large area,� the sources stated.
When asked, an official said, �We are trying to ascertain the cause of the fire, and the possibility of it having been triggered by unscrupulous elements cannot be ruled out.�
