Durga Puja pandal, idols gutted in Tripura’s Agartala city in sudden fire incident

Locals alleged that the power department officials were late in arriving to the spot and that eventually led to the games gutting the entire pandal.

Reacting to the issue, a fire fighter who didn’t wish to divulge his name, said, “It possibly was due to electric short circuit." (Express photo)

Listen to this article

00:00

1x 1.5x 1.8x

A Durga Puja pandal at Abhoynagar area in Agartala city was gutted in a sudden fire this afternoon alongwith the idols of Devi Durga and other deities inside the pandal. While the reasons are not yet certain the organizers say they are looking into the possibilities.

Speaking to reporters, an executive of the Durga Puja organizing committee at Blood Sun Club at Abhoynagar area of Agartala city today said, “We are not certain how the fire started. It was being made with bamboo, straws, clothes and other perishable materials. We are looking into how the fire started. Had the fire service personnel come earlier, the fire could perhaps have been controlled easier”.

Some locals alleged that the power department officials were late in arriving to the spot and that eventually led to the games gutting the entire pandal along with decorations and idols inside.

আজ একটি অনাকাঙ্ক্ষিত দূর্ভাগ্যপুর্ণ অগ্নিকাণ্ডের ঘটনায় সম্পূর্ণ ভস্মীভূত হয়ে যায় উজান অভয়নগরস্থিত ব্লাডসান ক্লাবের পূজা মন্ডপ।
এই অনাহুত পরিস্হিতিতে ক্ষতিগ্রস্ত ক্লাব এলাকা পরিদর্শন করে সংশ্লিষ্ট কর্মকর্তাদের প্রয়োজনীয় সরকারি সাহায্যের আশ্বাস প্রদান করি। pic.twitter.com/IXayAduRI1

— Prof.(Dr.) Manik Saha (@DrManikSaha2) October 18, 2023

Reacting to the issue, a fire fighter who didn’t wish to divulge his name, said, “It possibly was due to electric short circuit. Power department personnel were here. Unfortunately, they probably went away from here. We rushed here 1-2 minutes after getting their call. We came rapidly and doused the fire within 5 minutes. I don’t know what happened but some local people were saying it was probably due to electric short circuit. My superior officers are investigating the issue and they will submit their findings in their report”.

Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha reached out to the puja organizer in a Tweet and wrote on X, formerly Twitter, “I am deeply saddened that the Puja pandal alongwith the idol was completely gutted due to an accidental fire during the work on the puja pandal at Bloodsun Club at Ujan Abhoynagar in Agartala. I, alongwith the respectable people of the concerned area, am deeply saddened by this untoward incident. I appeal to the puja organizers of the state to take extra precautions during the construction of puja pandals”.