SHILLONG, Oct 21: A fire at a commercial complex on the North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) campus in Shillong on Tuesday gutted a sweets outlet and damaged part of the building, with the shop owner estimating losses at around Rs 20 lakh.
The blaze broke out at the Mithaas outlet during morning business hours as employees prepared for the day’s sales. Firefighters were called in after attempts to control the flames with fire extinguishers failed. The fire also damaged a section of the complex’s roof, threatening other businesses housed in the building.
The cause of the fire remains undetermined. The shop owner suspected a possible LPG-related incident, while workers at nearby establishments reportedly heard loud noises before the flames were noticed. However, no official confirmation has linked the fire to a cylinder explosion.
The complex also houses eateries, a stationery shop and a barber shop. No injuries were reported, but the overall damage to the building and other businesses has yet to be assessed.
