Guwahati: A massive fire broke out at a market in Assam’s Cachar district on Monday morning, destroying at least 16 shops.
The incident took place at Swadhin Bazar in Sonai Tehsil area.
The fire, suspected to have been caused by an arson attack carried out by unidentified miscreants, sources said. However, the exact cause is ascertained.
Following the incident, locals informed the fire brigade and the blaze was brought under control after a few hours with the help of local residents.
Property worth lakhs of rupees was destroyed in the fire incident, sources added.
Meanwhile, no casualties were reported in the incident.
Local police later reached the scene and initiated an investigation into the matter.
Earlier, in a similar incident, at least 20 shops and commercial establishments were gutted and property worth over Rs one crore destroyed in a fire in Ratanpurbazar area of Hailakandi in Assam, officials said on Friday.
The fire broke out around midnight on Thursday and engulfed a large part of the market, they said.
Locals informed the fire brigade and the blaze was brought under control after a few hours with the help of local residents.
Businessmen whose shops and establishments were gutted have blamed the local authorities for the poor state of electrical connections in the place and demanded compensation.
