By our correspondent
Agartala, Mar 03, 2019: A fire broke out at a Hotel in Agartala on Sunday morning, inmates and staff of the Hotel were safe and evacuated, however, one Fire personnel received injury, Fire Bridge sources said. Maze of over-head electric wires and congested buildings – most of which have no minimum fire-fighting tools – cast serious threat,
Thick cloud of smoke was observed coming out of a Hotel – Shanti Hotel at Old Motor Stand area in Agartala today at around 8.30am. As eyewitness claimed, smell of something is burning and smoke alerted the people. Panicked inmates of the Hotel and adjacent other Hotels rushed out of their rooms.
“A major devastation was averted today. The Hotel is located in a congested area – cobweb of over-head electric lines and piped gas line underground made the situation more threatening. A slight delay by Fire Personnel in reaching the spot and controlling the fire would spread the fire to both side of the Hotel. Whole building complex which houses several business establishment would reduce to ashes.”, said owner of a shop on next to the eastern side of the Hotel.
Three fire engines brought the fire under control ensuring safety of nearby business establishments and doused the Fire. However, smoke was seen billowing through main entrance of the Hotel till 12 noon.The Hotel is located at congested area and there was another Hotel on the western flank of Shanti Hotel.
Fire Fighters had a tough time in setting ladders and entering into 1st floor of the Hotel avoiding the overhead live-wires. Distance between live-wire and commercial buildings at most part of the city is worryingly less than the distance required as per safety norms – local people alleged and pointed out to wire-net above the head making city the susceptible to accidents like fire, earthquake, flood etc.
Even as short circuit is believed to be the reason behind fire, actual reasons will be ascertained after investigation, Police officials said. Amount of losses is also yet to be ascertained – however, it seems the Hotel suffered huge damage.
