Sabroom: A devastating fire gutted the residential house of Debashish Majumdar in the Singtila area, under the Dom Doma Gram Panchayat of Sabroom subdivision, on Friday morning, with the affected family alleging gross negligence on the part of the local fire brigade.
The cause of the fire remains unknown. The homeowner spotted the flames and immediately alerted the Sabroom Fire Brigade, whose office is located less than 500 metres from the house. However, fire personnel reportedly failed to reach the spot in time, drawing sharp criticism from residents and the affected family.
Adding to the ordeal, when fire engines did arrive, the water pipes attached to the vehicle burst, and the vehicle’s water supply ran out within minutes. A second fire engine, summoned from Manubazar, eventually brought the blaze under control after nearly two hours.
Officials said the fire originated in a room storing a large quantity of rubber before spreading through the entire house. A bike and a car parked outside were also completely destroyed.
The incident triggered panic in the densely populated locality, prompting neighbours to evacuate belongings from their homes as a precaution. Residents have demanded accountability and improved emergency response in the area.