Houses gutted in Arunachal's Hapa village fire; delayed response draws flak

A devastating fire destroyed several SPT-type houses at Hapa village in Lekhi, near Naharlagun town, Arunachal Pradesh, on February 22, leaving families homeless and triggering sharp criticism of the state’s emergency response system.

 

Eyewitnesses said the blaze spread rapidly through the closely built wooden structures, reducing homes to ashes within a short span.

 

No official confirmation on casualties was available at the time of filing this report, but residents said properties and household belongings were completely gutted.

 

Local denizens alleged that the fire brigade arrived late, allowing the flames to intensify. They also claimed that emergency contact numbers of fire stations published in state newspapers were either unreachable or non-functional during the crisis.

 

Authorities are yet to issue a detailed statement on the cause of the fire or respond to the allegations regarding delayed intervention.

 

The incident follows another major fire earlier this month in Walong town of Anjaw district. A massive blaze engulfed parts of the town on the night of February 13, prompting panic among residents and emergency containment measures.

 

Local MLA and minister Dasanglu Pul had expressed concern over the scale of destruction in Walong and urged residents and travellers to strictly adhere to safety advisories. She stressed that safeguarding lives, property and the environment must remain the priority and warned that any deliberate attempt to cause harm or disturb peace would invite strict legal action.

 

Pul had also appealed for cooperation with frontline responders and called for collective efforts to protect communities across Anjaw district and the state.

 

With two major fire incidents reported within weeks, questions are being raised over fire safety infrastructure, emergency response time and the overall preparedness of authorities in Arunachal Pradesh.