Imphal, October 17: In a major fire that broke at Noney Bazar in the wee hours today, three houses and five shops have been totally gutted while two young girls sustained injuries when they jumped out from the balconies of their house to escape from the engulfing fire.

They were treated at the camp of 16 Assam Rifles located in Noney.

The houses and shops devastated by the fire belonged to Jakulun Gangmei, Kabui Khunnang and R Adam.

The shops which were let out to tenants were used as tailoring house, grocery store, carpentry house while some were used as family quarters.

It is estimated that properties worth a little more than Rs 12 lakhs have been destroyed by the fire.

However, the cause of the inferno cannot be ascertained as yet.

The injured sisters are identified as Loriya (12) and Sanala (8), daughters of Jakulun Gangmei.

They sustained injuries in the heads and limbs as they fell on stone chips when they jumped out.

The moment when people became aware of the razing fire, some portions of the kitchen located to the western side of Jakulun Gangmei's house was already engulfed in flames.

In addition to the local people who struggled to put out the fire 16 AR, CRPF and BRTF joined the rescue works and provided water tankers.

After about 30 minutes of struggle, the razing fire was finally put under control.

However, the three houses and five shops were completely reduced to cinders when the fire was effectively controlled.

Even as the MPCC president and MLA of Nungba A/C Gaikhangam could not visit Noney Bazar personally, SDO of Nungba sub-division was instructed to visit the spot and file a detail report on the fire accident.

Accordingly SDO Naorem Prabin visited Noney Bazar and collected a detailed report.

While the victims of the fire accident are expecting some compensation from the Government, ironically farmers who suffered big losses in a wild fire that destroyed some parts of orange farms in Nungba sub-division in 2004 are yet to be compensated.

Meanwhile, families affected by the inferno are being sheltered in a relief camp opened at Noney Bazar under the aegis of the Longmai Bazar Board.

The relief camp will remain open until houses of the affected families are re-built, informed a representative of the Board while seeking donation in cash and kind from people towards the relief camp.

Taking serious note of the severe hardships and great losses suffered by the people in the event of any fire accident due to absence of fire service station in Nungba subdivision, the Board members urged the State Govt to open a fire service in the sub-division at the earliest.

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