On the night of Saturday, a devastating fire broke out in an electronics store in Sahebganj, causing significant damage estimated at Rs 20 lakh. The fire, caused by a short circuit, spread rapidly through the store and reached the warehouse on the upper floor. Despite the best efforts of the local fire brigade and community members, the property, including a large stock of electronics meant for the upcoming Dhanteras festival, was completely destroyed.

Details of the Fire Incident

The fire started around 8 PM in the Swastik Vision electronics store, located near the Bus Stand at Brajnandan Chowk in Sahebganj’s Nagar Parishad area. According to reports, the fire began due to an electrical short circuit in the store’s electrical system. The fire quickly escalated, engulfing the store’s upper floor, where a large warehouse was stocked with electronics. The shop owners had been preparing for Dhanteras, a major shopping festival, and had stored significant amounts of inventory.

Upon realizing the severity of the situation, local residents jumped into action and managed to evacuate some of the goods from the first floor. However, by the time the fire department was alerted, the fire had already spread to a critical stage.

Firefighting Efforts and Delays

The local police station immediately dispatched a smaller fire truck to the site. Unfortunately, it took more than an hour for the larger fire truck to arrive, further delaying firefighting operations. The situation grew more intense as the fire continued to ravage the store and warehouse. It wasn’t until after two hours of relentless effort that the fire was finally brought under control. Despite the firefighters’ best efforts, the store’s property and stock were severely damaged.

Damages and Losses

The fire has caused an estimated damage of Rs 20 lakh, with almost all of the stored goods being completely destroyed. The store had been preparing for the Dhanteras shopping rush, stocking up on a variety of electronics in anticipation of the festival’s high sales. This loss is not only a financial setback for the shop owners but also a blow to the local community, who were looking forward to making purchases for the festival season.

Community Reaction and Anger Over Delayed Fire Services

As the situation worsened, local business owners and residents gathered at the scene, expressing their frustration over the delayed response of the fire department. Many locals were particularly upset about the time it took for the larger fire truck to arrive. This delay led to further property loss and prolonged the firefighting efforts. In response to this, the business owners and residents called for the station to be equipped with a larger fire truck to prevent such delays in the future. The demand for better fire services was raised, highlighting the need for more efficient emergency response infrastructure in the area.

Authorities’ Response and Investigation

Sahebganj’s Police Station Chief, Sunil Kumar, along with a team of officers, was present at the site of the incident. They coordinated with the fire department and local authorities to manage the situation and maintain law and order. The fire department is expected to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the short circuit and determine if there were any lapses in safety precautions or equipment maintenance.

Additionally, the authorities are likely to assess the level of fire preparedness in the region, considering the scale of the damage caused by the delayed response.

Impact on the Shop Owners

The shop owners, Vindhyachal Prasad Gupta and his son Vicky Kumar, expressed their distress over the incident. They mentioned that the stock destroyed in the fire was crucial for their business during Dhanteras. They had invested heavily in purchasing the goods in anticipation of increased sales, making the loss even more significant. The fire has not only affected their finances but also their business prospects during a crucial period of the year.

Demand for Better Fire Services in Sahebganj

The incident has also raised concerns among local businesses and residents about the fire safety infrastructure in Sahebganj. Several local shopkeepers and community members have voiced their concerns about the adequacy of the fire safety equipment and the response time of the fire services. They have called on the local authorities to ensure the presence of larger, more equipped fire trucks to handle such emergencies in the future. With a growing population and commercial activity in the area, there is a clear need for better emergency services to protect businesses and residents from potential disasters.

The devastating fire at Swastik Vision Electronics Store in Sahebganj serves as a stark reminder of the importance of fire safety and emergency preparedness. While the cause of the fire was an electrical short circuit, the delay in firefighting efforts has intensified the damages. This incident highlights the urgent need for improved fire response systems in the region to prevent such catastrophic losses in the future.

For the shop owners, this incident marks a significant financial setback, especially during a high-traffic season like Dhanteras. However, the broader impact on the community and the demand for better fire services suggest that this tragedy could serve as a catalyst for necessary changes in Sahebganj’s fire safety infrastructure.

As the investigation continues and the community reflects on the incident, it is clear that there is a growing need for local businesses and authorities to collaborate on improving emergency response systems. This tragic event should act as a turning point in ensuring that Sahebganj is better prepared for future emergencies.