Agartala, 10th October 2026 : Three shops were reduced to ashes in a mysterious fire at Shimbukchak Market under Kachuchhara Police Station in Kamalpur subdivision late Friday night, causing extensive financial losses and triggering concern among local traders. Preliminary estimates suggest that the damage could exceed Rs 15 lakh.
Among the affected establishments, two shops belonged to a trader who had been running his business in the market for the past 19 years. The shops stocked essential food items, including rice and jaggery, all of which were destroyed in the blaze.
The trader estimated his individual loss at around Rs 6 lakh. He said he had purchased goods worth approximately Rs 20,000 just a day before the incident. A substantial quantity of stock procured on credit from wholesalers was also stored inside the shops, adding to his financial burden.
Essential documents, including Aadhaar cards and other identity proofs, were also destroyed in the fire.
For nearly two decades, the trader had depended on his business to support his family. He reportedly spent most of his time at the shop, often taking meals and even sleeping there. However, the fire has now wiped out years of hard work and accumulated assets, leaving him struggling to find a way to rebuild his livelihood.
The trader was not at home when the incident occurred and escaped physical harm. However, the loss of his business has left him deeply uncertain about his family’s future.
Meanwhile, the exact cause of the fire remains unknown. An investigation is needed to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and assess the total damage. Local demands have emerged for administrative intervention and financial assistance to help the affected traders recover from the devastating loss.
