JIRIBAM, Aug 20: Eleven shops have been reduced to cinders at Jakuradhore bazar, 25 kms to the south of Jiribam police station, at around 1.30 am today.
Two fire tenders of Manipur Fire Service rushed to the locality soon after getting information about the fire.
However, the fire tenders could not reach the spot on time due to the dilapidated road condition.
The shops were already reduced to ashes when Manipur Fire Service personnel reached the area.
Peeved with their late arrival, Jakuradhore locals staged a protest against the fire service personnel. The two fire tenders are now kept at Borobekara police station.
Jiribam Fire sub-station in-charge Rajen said that properties worth around Rs 15 lakh had been destroyed by the fire.
However, the exact loss of property could be ascertained only after a thorough assessment, he said.
Rajen said that it was unfortunate that they could not reach the area on time due to extremely bad road condition.
It may be mentioned that people of the area have been demanding a fire sub-station there since the past many years.
