Four shops were destroyed and property estimated at around Rs 70 lakh was damaged after a fire broke out at a market in Bokakhat in Assam’s Golaghat district early Friday, police said.
The fire was reported at around 1 am and quickly spread to adjoining establishments in the market. A garage, computer shop, salon and hotel were among the premises affected by the blaze.
Several vehicles were also damaged in the incident. According to police, around 15 motorcycles kept inside the garage were destroyed as the fire spread through the market.
Residents in the area disconnected the electricity supply as a precautionary measure after the fire broke out. Local people also joined firefighters in efforts to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to nearby shops and other establishments.
Firefighters worked to bring the situation under control after reaching the market. The combined efforts of the fire personnel and local residents helped contain the blaze within the affected area.
The fire caused extensive damage to the shops and property inside the establishments. The total value of the damage has been estimated at around Rs 70 lakh, though an assessment of the losses may be carried out in greater detail by the authorities.
Police and other officials have begun looking into the incident. The exact cause of the fire has not yet been established, officials said.
No information was immediately available on casualties in the incident.