Fire razed a portion of a rural market in rural Tripura in the early hours of Sunday. As many as 13 shops were reduced to ashes. Also, the fire gutted the houses of two families. In an early morning fire incidence, at least 13 shops and residence of two families were gutted at Pecharthal under North Tripura on Sunday. According to sources, the total amount of loss is pegged at around Rs 3 crore. Police have started an investigation to ascertain the reasons behind the fire.
Speaking to media, the OC of Pecharthal PS said, a fire broke out at around 4.25 am on Sunday at Pecharthal market. Immediately Fire service personnel were informed. Before Fire engines could reach the spot from Panisagar, a fire reduced 13 shops and houses of Pranay Roy and Ashu Rahut to ashes. Later, Social Welfare Minister Santana Chakma along with the DM and SDM visited the market and interacted with the affected people.
“The Fire Service was informed as soon as the fire came to our notice. However, there is no fire station at Pecharthal and fire engines rushed from Panisagar under the same district to douse the fire. By the time Fire Service personnel reached the spot, 13 shops were gutted along with houses of two families”, locals said.
After talking to the fire victims, the Minister and administration decided to extend the financial assistance of Rs 5000-7000 to the affected traders. Moreover, arrangements for shelter had been made at a local school for those who lost their houses in the fire incidence.
“Covid19 pandemic has already put us in a dire situation. And the fire, just before the puja, has completely ruined us and we along with our families are staring at bleak future”, one of the affected shopkeepers said and added, the initial amount of financial assistance is too little to compensate for the loss.