Shillong, Jan 10: Two children were feared dead in a building inferno at Mawbah (Bara Pathar) here on Tuesday night.
Out of the five families who were residing in the building, three were out of station, one family was found to be safe and two children of another family were missing.
According to an eye witness, the mother of the children, who went down to fetch water fainted after seeing the sudden fire at the top of the building where the five families were residing.
The children- a five year old girl and three year and a half year old boy- were trapped when the fire engulfed the place.
The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained though blasts of cylinders were heard, police said.
The incident took place around 7 pm and the fire service personnel reached the site and took some time to douse the fire.
The police crime scene unit visited the area and a forensic team was asked to carry out further examination.
Sources said the forensic team may visit the site on Wednesday morning due to insufficient light at the top of the building.
During a visit to the area, it was found that the top portion of the incomplete building with open stairs was a make-shift arrangement for the families who used tin-sheets to cover the residential place.
According to the locals, one of the residents who was shocked over the incident, was rushed to the hospital.
Local MLA Mohendro Rapsang and UDP candidate Paul Lyngdoh visited the area.
Haphazard buildings
Questions are being raised over the haphazard buildings in certain pockets of Mawbah.
The place where the fire incident took place was unsafe to live.
Locals said there is a need to go for safety audit of the buildings and the house owners should be cautious before providing rented accommodations.
Fire inçident at Mawlai Umjaiur
A fire that broke out at Mawlai Umjaiur around 9.30 am destroyed rented houses of four families.
According to sources, the cause of the fire may be due to a short circuit. There was no casualty reported during the incident.
Manosha Ryndem, Biolet Ryndem, Ibamelaai Diengdoh and Anand Nengnong had rented the houses.
