Historic Thangu Sertok Gumpa Destroyed in North Sikkim Fire

Gangtok: A devastating fire destroyed the historic Thangu Sertok Gumpa in North Sikkim on the night of June 5, leaving the revered monastery in ashes. The blaze began around 11 pm and quickly engulfed the structure, along with two neighboring houses.

Local villagers arrived at the scene shortly after the fire started, but the intensity of the flames made it impossible to save the monastery or its interior contents. The incident is a major loss for the community, as the gumpa served as a vital center for religious and cultural heritage. Established in the mid-1960s, the monastery had long acted as a spiritual landmark for the residents of Lachen and the surrounding areas.

Officials have confirmed that there is no official information regarding casualties so far. The exact cause of the fire remains unknown, though authorities expect to conduct a full assessment of the damages. Local leadership emphasized the impact of the loss, noting the monastery was regarded as an important center of religious and cultural heritage.

Investigations are currently underway to determine what triggered the disaster. Authorities intend to examine the site thoroughly to understand how the fire spread so rapidly through the historic building.