IMPHAL, July 14: A transformer repairing centre located at Thangmeiband Hijam Dewan Leikai, Imphal West was completely destroyed in a fire that broke out in the centre this morning around 4.30.
According to Manipur Fire Service, the fire incident was informed to the fire brigade at around 5.03 am after which fire service personnel rushed to the area to douse the fire.
By the time they arrived, 14 transformers belonging to Manipur State Power Distribution Company, seven transformer machines, one colour television, one laptop, two computer desktops, five generator sets, one refrigerator, eight barrels containing transformer oil, one oil testing machine, two drums wrapped with new coil, furniture including bed and cash amount of Rs 1, 50, 000 kept at the repairing centre had charred to ashes.
Alpha BCI Memorial Academy adjoining the centre was also engulfed by the fire. The school canteen, textbooks and uniforms were destroyed in the fire.
As stated by caretaker of the school canteen Sita Poudyel, property of the school worth Rs 1 lakh was destroyed in the fire. However, the school building remained unharmed.
However, fire tender personnel managed to save residential houses adjoining the transformer repairing centre from the raging fire.
The workshop being run by Amakcham Dhananjoy Singh is situated at the premises belonging to one RK Rita Devi.
Speaking to newspersons following the fateful incident, Dhananjoy informed that property worth around Rs 80-90 lakh was destroyed in the fire.
He lamented that all his earnings which he had gathered by toiling day and night in his workshop were gone in the devastating fire.
He ruled out short circuit as the cause of the fire but suspected that the fire may have sparked by gas leakage.
Saikhom Rakesh alias Mujao son of S Jugin, who joined in extinguishing the fire, suffered injuries in his right leg.