Fire Guts Three Businesses in Hailakandi

Guwahati: A fast-moving fire leveled three businesses in the Lalabazar area of Assam’s Hailakandi district on October 19. The blaze ignited inside a furniture shop before jumping to an adjoining warehouse and hotel located directly in front of the Lalabazar Circle Office. Flames grew quickly. Panic gripped the neighborhood.

Local residents spotted thick smoke and alerted authorities. Fire tenders arrived too late to save the structures. The properties were already gutted by the time crews began their work. Officials estimate the financial toll will reach several lakh rupees, though a formal damage assessment is still pending.

Investigators have not pinned down the exact source of the fire. The furniture shop remains the primary focus of the inquiry. Hailakandi MLA Dr. Milan Das and the district Superintendent of Police arrived at the scene to oversee the situation. Reporters noted that "further details regarding the cause of the fire and the extent of the damage are awaited."