Had it not been for the prompt action of the fire fighting team last night, Gelegphu town would have meted the same fate as Chamkhar town in Bumthang. With buildings constructed close by, the consequences could have been disastrous.
The fire started from the top floor of a three storied building in the heart of Gelegphu town at around 8:50pm. It quickly spread to the top floor of the next building. As it started to spread to the third building, the fire fighters managed to contain the fire. After battling the fire for almost two hours, the fire fighting team managed to save many buildings that are built close by. The fire damaged the top floor of two three-storied buildings and partially damaged the top floor of the third building.
Power was shut down immediately for safety reasons.
Seven families lived in the apartments. There was no causality but the families lost all their belongings. The armies climbed on the rooftop of the nearby buildings and removed the CGI sheets and other combustible objects. They said the water pool inside the building and the heat posed a challenge.
Police suspect electric short circuit to be the cause.
The affected families were given emergency kit by the Thromde and Semso from the Gyalpoi Zimpon’s office. The three house owners were given Nu. 10,000 each. The victims were given Nu. 15,000 each and two families were given Nu. 5,000 each for collateral and partial damage caused.
