Siliguri, 26th April: Sensation prevailed after a major fire broke out near the Gate Bazar area of Ward No. 47 under Siliguri Municipal Corporation. 8 shops were completely destroyed in the incident. Some traders have assumed the incident was pre-planned.
According to the information received, a local spotted a shop on fire in the said area, this morning. The blaze eventually spread to 8 shops nearby. Following this, the locals attempted to extinguish the fire. Later, the incident was reported to the fire department. Upon receiving the news, two fire engines reached the spot and brought the fire under control after long efforts.
The 8 shops have been reported to be grocery shops, Darshakarma Bhandar shops, and fruit shops. At the same time, a local named Pankaj Kamti said that the incident might be pre-planned as two-three days ago, three shops and a godown near Vani Mandir School in the same ward were burnt to ashes in a fire break out. Soon after this incident, another such incident surfaced from the same ward today.
Protesting against this incident, all the shopkeepers are said to file a written complaint at the police station. Kamti also said that the matter would be reported to the Siliguri SDO demanding compensation for the damaged shops.