Massive fire engulfs Tripura’s second busiest market, over 150 shops destroyed

A massive fire broke out in Battala Market in Agartala, Tripura during the wee hours of Monday, resulting in the destruction of 155 shops.
 
Battala Market, the second busiest and largest market in Tripura, faced significant damage due to the incident.
 
Battala Market Association Secretary Subhas Das informed India Today NE that the fire likely originated from an electrical short circuit.
 
Immediate action was taken as the Fire and Emergency Services were notified, and nine fire tenders promptly arrived at the scene to prevent the fire from spreading further.
 
Das detailed the extent of the damage, stating that among the affected shops, 130 were vegetable vendors, five were poultry shops, five were wholesale outlets, and 15 were grocery stores. The estimated loss is expected to exceed Rs 2 crore.
 
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha and Agartala Municipal Corporation Mayor Dipak Majumder visited the site this morning to assess the situation and interact with affected traders.
 
"It was a very unfortunate incident. A massive fire engulfed a part of Battala market, resulting in significant losses for many. I have spoken with the Additional District Magistrate, and after a thorough assessment, we can determine the accurate amount of the losses. Due to the timely arrival of the fire tenders, the fire was contained, preventing further spread. I want to express my gratitude to them. Our government officials are actively investigating the matter and exploring ways to assist those affected. I have also communicated with the Mayor to ensure immediate support for the victims, and our government is exploring all possible avenues to provide assistance," added the CM.