At least nine shops were completely destroyed while five others sustained partial damage in a fire that broke out near MMC Complex, Dilong, Mokokchung, on Tuesday afternoon.
According to Keleseho Stephen Tsükrü, Officer-in-Charge of the Fire Department, Mokokchung, the fire call was received at around 12:36 pm.
Fire tenders from Fire Station North and Fire Station South were pressed into action, making a total of nine trips to contain the blaze, which was brought under control after nearly two hours of firefighting.
Officials informed that a total of three buildings were affected in the incident. In one building, all five shops were completely gutted. In another structure, four shops located in the upper portion of a building, reportedly a library complex, were also destroyed, while some of the apartments on the lower floors sustained damage. Additionally, the top floor of a separate RCC building was partially affected by the fire.
The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, although it is suspected to have originated from a short circuit.
“Property damaged/lost etc are awaited as there are multiple owners and families are affected,” Tsükrü said.
No casualties were reported.