Guwahati: As many as 250 shops were gutted after a massive fire broke out at Piyali Market in Lanka under Hojai district on Saturday midnight. Initially, the fire broke out at a shop which engulfed the entire area within a few minutes and the fire kept blazing for hours.

At least 12 fire tenders rushed to the spot to douse the flames but were unable to bring the situation under control.

PROPERTIES DESTROYED

Meanwhile, the residents of the fire expressed strong antipathy as the local fire brigade team was unsuccessful in controlling the fire till the morning hours.

Notably, ahead of the popular Bihu festival in the state, which is celebrated with great pomp and show, the shopkeepers had ordered a large inventory. An initial enquiry revealed that properties worth 50 crores of rupees were destroyed in the fire and the reason behind the blaze is yet to be ascertained.

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