Guwahati: A fierce blaze ripped through an ice cream manufacturing unit at Sapotgram Bazar in Dhubri’s early morning hours today, April 13th, leaving a trail of destruction and fear in its wake.
The inferno, suspected to have been ignited by a powerful thunderstorm that swept through the region, quickly spread its tendrils to adjacent commercial properties, leaving an estimated six to seven shops completely charred.
Eyewitness accounts detail a terrifying sequence of events, suggesting that a suspected lightning strike on the ice cream factory during the intense storm acted as the catalyst for the devastating fire. The flames rapidly engulfed neighboring establishments, including two pharmacies, a jewellery outlet, a footwear store, and a couple of other small ventures operated by local business owners.
Horrified residents looked on as the fire relentlessly consumed the shops, with many desperately attempting to rescue whatever possessions they could. “It was incredibly rapid. One moment we heard a loud thunder, and the next thing we knew, the ice cream factory was engulfed in flames. The fire just kept spreading to all the nearby shops,” recounted a local shopkeeper, his voice filled with distress.
Responding swiftly to the emergency, sixteen to eighteen fire tenders were dispatched from Gosaigaon, Kokrajhar, Bilasipara, Dhubri, and neighboring towns. Firefighters worked tirelessly for several hours, battling the raging flames before finally managing to bring the situation under control.
Initial assessments indicate that the total value of property lost in the devastating fire could exceed fifty lakh rupees. While the extent of the damage is significant, there is a sense of relief as no casualties have been reported thus far, although authorities are still conducting thorough assessments. Investigations are currently underway to determine the precise cause of the fire, and a comprehensive report is anticipated in the coming days.
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