Guwahati, 11 December (HS): Firefighting teams in Guwahati are yet to gain control over the massive blaze that broke out at Swagat Square in the ABC area, with efforts continuing for the third consecutive day.

According to reports, the fire began around midnight on Tuesday, engulfing the six-storey commercial building within minutes. Multiple firefighting units rushed to the scene soon after receiving information about the incident.

An official statement issued on Thursday said that more than 50 fire tenders have been deployed in the ongoing operation, but the flames remain uncontrolled. Teams from Assam Fire and Emergency Services, Noonmati Refinery, Inland Water Transport Department, NDRF, SDRF and the Indian Air Force are working round the clock to douse the blaze. An NDRF officer informed on Thursday morning that the operation has been intensified by cutting open one of the shutters with a cutter to access the burning section.

The building housed two branches of SBI, a shopping mall, and several commercial establishments. While the exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined, a short circuit is suspected. The failure to control the fire even after deploying such a large number of firefighting units in a major city like Guwahati has raised serious concerns.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash