Nishar Mohammed & Vikramaditya
Port Blair, Jan 23: In the early hours of January 23, 2024, the bustling Rangat Bazar faced a devastating fire outbreak, marking a distressing incident for the locals. The Rangat Police Station received the alarming information around 01:25 am, triggering an immediate response from the firefighting teams.
Fire tenders from FS Rangat and Bakultala rushed to the scene, recognizing the severity of the situation. Swiftly, additional firefighting vehicles from Fire Stations in Billiground, Kadamtala, and Mayabunder were redirected to the location to intensify the efforts.
Firefighters, along with police personnel, battled relentlessly for approximately four hours to bring the raging fire under control. The collaborative efforts of the firefighting teams, police force, private excavator operators, and the proactive involvement of the local community played a pivotal role in mitigating the crisis.
Preliminary findings suggest that the fire originated in the ‘Middle of The Market,’ leading to a domino effect, with three cylinders exploding during the incident, exacerbating the intensity of the blaze. In total, 43 shops, including four residential spaces, succumbed to the fire, leaving the affected shopkeepers and residents in despair.
As an immediate response, an inquiry is underway to ascertain the cause of the fire, and a designated committee is actively engaged in assessing the extent of the damage.