A major fire incident in Kohima caused extensive damage to property at Upper AG Colony on Monday morning, with losses estimated at around ₹2 crore. Fortunately, no casualties were reported, officials said. According to Fire and Emergency Services authorities, the fire broke out between 8:45 am and 8:50 am and is suspected to have been caused by an electrical short circuit. The blaze reportedly started from a bakery located on the lower floor of a two-storey building and quickly spread to neighbouring shops. In the incident, five shops were completely gutted, including two ration shops, one bakery outlet, one tea hotel and one paan shop. Two nearby residential houses also suffered partial damage. Officials said the building had multiple electrical connections, including a three-phase power system, which may have contributed to the rapid spread of the fire.
At the time of the incident, one family and several workers were present in the building. Fire personnel confirmed that all residents were safely evacuated. As a precautionary measure, LPG cylinders from nearby houses were removed to prevent any further explosion or escalation. Eyewitnesses said smoke was first noticed coming out of the bakery around 8:50 am. Another local resident pointed out that heavy traffic congestion in the area delayed the arrival of fire tenders, making firefighting efforts more challenging. A shop owner whose property was partially damaged described the incident as shocking, saying the fire spread so fast that it felt “like a dream.”
The manager of Square Bakery later informed officials that the fire was likely caused by an electrical short circuit due to excessive load. Firefighters used both water and foam to control the flames, and after nearly five hours of continuous effort, the fire was finally brought under control. Items destroyed in the fire included CGI sheet structures, Assam-type pukka houses, machinery, cold storage units, refrigerators, groceries, household goods and clothing. Personnel from the Fire and Emergency Services, with assistance from the Assam Rifles, carried out the firefighting operations.
