A mid-day fire razed two shops and a CITU office at Golaghati Bazar under Sepahijala district in Tripura on Tuesday. This was the second fire incident after January 20 last. Demanding a fire station at Golaghati, villagers blocked the road.
The fire incident started from a car parts shop belonging to Debashish Debnath in North Bazar. Debnath was not at his shop when the fire broke out, Fire engulfed the shop soon as there were many inflammable items in the shop. The fire spread to the adjacent Tiffin shop and CITU office. Fire Service personnel from Bishalgarh rushed to the spot and along with the local people doused the flame and saved other shops.
Local traders expressed concern over the second incident of fire in a year and the absence of a Fire Station in Golaghati. At present, the people of Golaghati are dependent on Bishalgarh Fire Service.
“On January 20 last, a devastating fire destroyed six shops in the Golaghati Bazar. As there is no Fire station in Golaghati, local people stopped the Fire tender engine on that fateful day and agitated demanding a Fire Station at Golaghati. Later, the DM, local MLA and other officials assured people of setting up a Fire station at Golaghati.
However, the demand remained unfulfilled for the last eight months. After today’s fire incident, local people, once again, resorted to a road blockade. Fire Department official, Kuntal Debbarma rushed to the spot along with the local BJP Mandal leader. Over the phone, MLA Birendra Kishore Debbarma informed them the Government is looking into the matter.
Later, local people withdrew the 3-hour long road blockade.
