Massive Fire Breaks Out in Roing Market, Arunachal Pradesh

Locals used diggers to demolish the market and neighbouring houses to tame the fire.

While the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, a local vendor told Northeast Now that a short-circuit could have triggered it.

(Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Pema Khandu)

A massive fire broke out in the main market area of Roing in Arunachal Pradesh late on Tuesday, 31 July, which spread across an area of about 5,000 sq meters, and destroyed a number of shops in the area.

While the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, a local vendor told Northeast Now that a short-circuit could have triggered it.

According to Arunachal Times, the fire broke out in the Roing market at approximately 8:30 pm and spread in a matter of minutes, destroying an entire section of the market.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu took to Twitter to say, “Saddened by the devastating fire that engulfed the Roing market yesterday evening though no loss of lives were reported.”

After the fire brigade failed to contain the inferno, the locals took it upon themselves to stop the fire from spreading, and used diggers to demolish the market and the neighbouring houses, reported Guwahati Plus.

(Photo Courtesy: Google+/Hemant Kumar Dubey)

Given the conditions, the extent of damage could not be assessed so far. However, no casualties have been reported.

“I am in constant touch with the Roing district administration taking stock of the situation. The district administration has been instructed to provide immediate relief and assess the loss and damage. One of my minister colleagues has also been asked to rush to Roing to monitor the relief work. ” wrote Khandu on Facebook.

Arrangements for food and stay have been made at the Circuit House and Anchal Samiti Hall, reports said.

(With inputs from Northeast Now, Arunachal Times, Guwahati Plus.)