Fire breaks out in building near Lall Bazaar flyover

GANGTOK, 19 Nov: Prompt action by neighbours and the Gangtok Fire Station team helped avert a major disaster in the capital this morning. A fire broke out on the first floor of an RCC building situated some distance below the Lall Bazaar fly-over across NH 31A this morning at around 11 AM.
This flat, on the first floor of a four-storied building, belongs to one Tenzing Yangchen and fortunately no one was present in the house when the incident occurred.  It is informed that those residing on the upper floors and nearby neighbours noticed smoke coming out of the flat and proceeded to break the lock on the main door and take out an LPG cylinder from the house and tried to control the fire.
In the meantime, a Gangtok Fire Station team led by Fire Station Officer, Subash Subba reached the spot with one fire tender and 2 AFT backpacks and immediately started firefighting operations and later the operation was also joined by Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Gangtok Fire Station, Prakash Rai. After an hour long effort, the fire was totally brought under control.
DCFO, Mr Rai informed that the fire destroyed the belongings in the kitchen and bedroom, however, it was brought under control before it could spread to other rooms on the floor. He added that the fire could have turned into a major disaster if it was not controlled in time.
Mr Rai urged people especially of the urban areas to be alert and follow fire safety measures to avoid such incidents. He pointed out that there are many congested narrow stairs and passages in many buildings in the capital and in such case residents should ensure proper management to minimize risks.