Imphal: A devastating fire broke out on Saturday afternoon at an abandoned house near the New Secretariat building and CM Office in Imphal, Manipur, resulting in the destruction of property worth crores of rupees.
The house, belonging to the late Thangkhopao Kipgen, a retired IAS officer and former Chief Secretary of Goa, was engulfed in flames around 3:30 PM, according to fire service sources.
Despite the tight security within this secure zone, the fire managed to cause significant damage before three fire tenders arrived at the scene.
The fire crews worked for over an hour to extinguish the flames, which had already consumed most of the wooden structure with a galvanized tin roof.
The firefighters successfully prevented the blaze from spreading to adjacent buildings.
The house is situated in a crowded area, adjacent to the Kuki Inn complex and opposite the Manipur Chief Minister’s residence in Babupara, Imphal. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported so far.
The cause of the fire remains undetermined, and a thorough assessment of the damages is expected to be conducted by Sunday, according to fire service officials.