Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 23 January 2024
In the early hours of 23rd January 2024, a major fire broke out in Rangat Bazaar, triggering an immediate response from the local authorities. The incident was reported at around 01:25 am, prompting the mobilisation of fire tenders from various fire stations to combat the blaze.
Upon receiving the information, fire tenders from FS Rangat and Bakultala were swiftly dispatched to the scene. Recognising the severity of the situation, additional fire tender vehicles from Fire Stations in Billiground, Kadamtala, and Mayabunder were diverted to the location to reinforce the firefighting efforts.
Firefighters from multiple fire stations, alongside dedicated police personnel, launched a relentless struggle to bring the fire under control. The intense battle against the flames persisted for approximately four hours before the situation was finally brought under control. Throughout the operation, the collaborative efforts of private excavator operators and local residents of Rangat played a crucial role in supporting the firefighting teams and the police.
An ongoing inquiry is being conducted to determine the cause of the fire, while a designated committee is actively engaged in assessing the extent of the damages caused. In response to the incident, a meeting was convened by the district administration and police to address the concerns of the affected individuals and provide necessary support.
The resilient response from firemen, police, private operators, and the local community exemplifies the collaborative efforts undertaken to mitigate the impact of the major fire outbreak in Rangat Bazaar.