Guwahati Inferno Rages on for over 33 Hours, Over 25 Agencies Struggle to Control Blaze

Guwahati: The massive fire that broke out at Guwahati’s Sohum Emporia shopping complex early Wednesday remained untamed for over 33 hours. More than two dozen fire tenders present on site have been struggling

to douse the inferno, a senior official told PTI on Thursday.The blaze reportedly began around 12:30 AM at Swagota Square in ABC Point on Wednesday and swiftly engulfed all floors of the multi-storied building. The building complex houses SBI’s zonal office, its commercial branch and the premium banking branch, as well as ‘Sohum Emporia’, a shopping mall. Over 25 agencies have been struggling to bring intense flames and thick black smoke billowing from the structure under control. These include water tenders from the Assam Fire and Emergency Services, Guwahati Refinery and the Digaru Air Force. The Indian Air Force and Indian Army also joined efforts to douse the blaze, and the National Disasters Relief Force was called in to assist with their high-tech smoke reduction machine.

Fire tenders have assembled at the venue from Guwahati, Morigaon, Kamrup and Nalbari districts, with more vehicles joining from Darrang. "The fire is still raging on the sixth floor. We are trying to douse it," a senior official of the Fire & Emergency Services (F&ES) told PTI.He added that smoke was also coming out from the second floor, where the fire originated at the godown of the shopping complex. "The fire is now at the backside of the building. However, due to non-adherence to safety norms while construction, fire tenders are unable to reach the rear," another official stated.There were no casualties in the fire and so far only one firefighter sustained a minor injury. He was treated at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital.

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Following an examination of construction features, the official added that concerned authorities had not enforced required safety norms when permitting a commercial structure of its size. While the exact cause of the fire is still unknown at this stage, an official said, "The fire originated at the godown of the mall on the second floor, where a lot of inflammable materials and clothes were stored.”"Our boys immediately responded to the fire call post midnight on Wednesday and reached the spot within 15 minutes. We could stop the fire from spreading.”He added that, "Our boys immediately responded to the fire call post midnight on Wednesday and reached the spot within 15 minutes. We could stop the fire from spreading."Statement by Assam State Disaster Management AuthorityIn a statement, the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) said that fire personnel are currently engaged in attempts to control the spread of fire and to prevent it from reaching lower levels. Preliminary observation suggests that significant damage has been incurred by the affected floors, which include bank premises on the second floor. A detailed assessment is expected once the fire is fully under control. ASDMA added, "Due to zero visibility and heavy smoke, the fire could not be controlled effectively in the initial stage.The building premises and surrounding areas have been secured. Evacuation protocols were initiated for safety.”(Written with PTI inputs.)