Chief Minister Conrad Sangma today informed that a detailed investigation will be conducted about the fire incident that destroyed the Shillong Bar Association office on February 24.
Laying a statement in the Assembly, Sangma said that as per preliminary investigation the supposed cause of fire is suspected to be electrical origin.
He informed that the police control room received a call at 10:15 pm on February 24 that a fire broke out in the Shillong Bar Association building.
“Accordingly, the first turnout from Iewduh fire station was activated at 10:16 pm and subsequently the second turnout at 10:20 pm respectively. On reaching the place of occurrence it was observed that the entire building was engulfed by raging inferno. As such reinforcements from Shillong fire station and adjoining fire stations were sought for,” Sangma said.
“On arrival of the IGP (Fire & Emergency Service) an urgent assessment was made and within four hours of rigorous fire fighting, the fire was brought under control,” he added.
The chief minister said that a total of six fire tenders were pressed into service as well as two water browsers from the Shillong Municipal Board which provided assistance and about 45 tanks of water were used for fire fighting.
He mentioned that the peon of the Shillong Bar Association informed that he saw electrical wiring which was found to be melting and hanging. However, negligence from the part of the occupants could not be ruled out.
Sangma also said that the district magistrate has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the fire incident.
