A devastating fire broke out in Nokyu Ward, Mangkolemba town, on Sunday morning at around 10:30 am, destroying three residential houses, two shop-residence structures, and adjoining godowns.
With no fire brigade in the area, local residents and the community took swift action to contain the fire. Using buckets, pipes, and other improvised methods to dispense water, they managed to prevent the blaze from spreading to nearby forests. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.
“We had no choice but to rely on ourselves,” said a local resident. “If there was a fire brigade, the damage could have been minimized.”
Police identified the house owners as Moanungla, Chupangmongba, and Zulunaro. Shop owners Hari Narayan Rau and Dayal Singh also lost their businesses and residences. Initial estimates place the total loss at `60–70 lakh, including household goods, shop inventories, and cash.
Preliminary investigations suggest the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit. “Inquiry is still ongoing,” a police official stated.
Speaking to MT, the police acknowledged that the damage could have been mitigated had a fire station been nearby. “Currently, the nearest fire station is in Mokokchung town, which is 64.3 kilometers away—a journey of over three hours. Establishing a fire station in Mangkolemba would greatly improve emergency response times,” the official added.
Advisor Temjenmenba pushes for fire station in Mangkolemba
In response to the incident, Temjenmenba, MLA and Advisor for Transport and Technical Education, Nagaland, has renewed calls for a fire station at Mangkolemba ADC Headquarters.
In a letter addressed to S Kiusumew Yimchunger, Advisor for Fire & Emergency Services, Home Guards, and Civil Defence, he wrote, “A devastating fire incident happened on December 8, 2024, in Mangkolemba town, which rendered many families homeless and destroyed commercial goods worth crores of rupees. Such incidents could have been averted had a fire station been in place.”
Temjenmenba highlighted the vulnerability of the town and its surrounding villages due to the absence of a fire station. Currently, the nearest fire station is in Mokokchung town, located 64.3 kilometers away—a journey that takes over three hours. Temjenmenba noted that this delay significantly hampers timely responses during emergencies.
The MLA reiterated the urgent need for a fire station in Mangkolemba and requested the allocation of funds for its construction on a priority basis.
It may be noted that Temjenmenba had previously raised this concern on May 23, 2023. The recent fire has reignited calls for the government to prioritize emergency infrastructure in the region, with residents and local platforms alike emphasizing the need for action to prevent similar tragedies.