A major fire tore through the Sohum Emporia shopping complex in Christian Basti, Guwahati, in the early hours of Wednesday, triggering alarm among residents and leaving parts of the building severely damaged. The complex also houses a branch of the State Bank of India, which was affected in the incident.
The blaze reportedly started around 2 a.m. and spread rapidly before fire services reached the spot. Thick plumes of smoke and intense flames were visible from nearby areas as firefighters worked through the night to contain the situation. Officials described the fire as massive, noting that extensive effort was required to bring it under control.
Nearly six fire tenders were pressed into service, and it took close to five hours to douse the flames. By about 7 a.m., the fire was largely contained, though cooling operations continued to prevent any further flare-ups. The cause of the fire is still unknown, and authorities are expected to launch a detailed investigation.
No casualties have been reported so far, but a comprehensive assessment of the damage—including to the SBI branch—is expected once the site is fully secured. The incident has raised concerns about fire safety readiness in one of Guwahati’s busiest commercial zones.
