Guwahati Inferno: 38-Hour Blaze Contained, Investigation Underway
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A massive fire that engulfed a commercial complex in Guwahati has been brought under control after nearly 38 hours, with multiple fire agencies and specialized teams battling the inferno. The fire broke out at the Swagata Square Complex, a multi-storey building housing a State Bank of India (SBI) branch, a shopping mall, and other commercial units, at around 12:30 am on Wednesday. Over 25 fire tenders, supported by water tankers from the Indian Air Force, Indian Army, and Guwahati Refinery, as well as a high-tech smoke reduction machine from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), were deployed to combat the blaze. Firefighters from neighboring districts, including Morigaon, Kamrup, and Nalbari, also joined the efforts. Despite the challenges posed by the fire's location and the presence of flammable materials, firefighters were able to prevent the blaze from spreading to lower floors. However, the sixth floor remains affected, and smoke is still billowing from the second floor, where the fire originated in the shopping mall's godown. An investigation into the cause of the fire is underway, with officials from the Fire and Emergency Services department and the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) conducting a preliminary assessment. While the building owner claims that safety audits were conducted two months ago, authorities have raised concerns about the non-adherence to safety norms during the construction of the complex. One firefighter sustained a minor injury during the operation and has been treated at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital. The ASDMA has assured that evacuation protocols were initiated for safety, and the building premises and surrounding areas have been secured. The cause of the fire remains unknown, and a detailed assessment of the damage will be conducted once the blaze is fully extinguished. The authorities have vowed to take action against those responsible if any lapses are found during the investigation.
