KANGPOKPI, September 8: Nine business establishments have been completely gutted by a ravaging inferno together with all the articles including grocery and household items as well as cash kept inside at Sapormeina bazaar late last night.
Reports culled from the incident spot suggest that the inferno occurred at around midnight with an electric short circuit suspected to be the cause.
As the grocery shop was a concrete building, no substantial damage was caused to the structure even though all the goods kept inside the structure have been reduced to cinders.
The fire destroyed Lhingcha Vaiphei Pan Dukan, Ngamjang Lhouvum Pharmacy, Mrs. Hechong Pan Dukan, Manggin Singsit Moreh Store, Pradip Pan Dukan, Jangkhohao Haokip Moreh Store, Samu Meat Hotel, Henei Pan Dukan and Thongkam Kipgen Meat Hotel.
The fire was put under control before it could engulf other nearby shops by the Sub-Fire Station Kangpokpi Service with assistance from the general public. The exact worth of properties destroyed by the fire could not be estimated immediately.