A massive fire broke out late Monday night at Pungkoi Traders, a rubber factory in Madhuban ADC Village No. 2 of North Tripura district. The fire completely destroyed the factory’s warehouse and reduced nearly 55 tonnes of rubber sheets to ashes.
The incident caused widespread panic in the area as flames rose high into the night sky. Locals alerted emergency services soon after noticing the fire.
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Owner Estimates Heavy Financial Losses
Factory owner Pritam Chandra Nath estimated the total loss at around ₹1.8 crore. He said the destroyed rubber sheets alone were worth between ₹95 lakh and ₹1 crore. The warehouse building, constructed at a cost of nearly ₹80 lakh, also collapsed in the blaze.
“This fire has wiped out years of hard work,” Nath said while inspecting the ruins. He described the incident as a severe setback for his business.
Fire Breaks Out While Owner Was Away
Nath said he had left the factory earlier in the evening after finishing work. He later attended a religious gathering in Anandabazar. Around 11:00 to 11:30 pm, he heard unusual sounds and rushed back.
“When I reached the spot, the entire warehouse was already on fire,” he said. Despite immediate efforts, nothing could be saved.
Fire Services Rush to the Spot
Fire and emergency services responded quickly to the incident. Two fire engines arrived from Dharmanagar. Fire tenders from Panisagar and Kadamtala also joined the operation.
Firefighters battled the flames for several hours. However, the stored rubber sheets caught fire rapidly due to their inflammable nature. The intense heat made rescue efforts extremely difficult.
Despite the coordinated response, the fire destroyed the warehouse completely.
No Casualties Reported
Officials confirmed that no injuries or casualties occurred. The factory remained closed at the time of the fire. This prevented any loss of life.
However, the financial damage remains extensive. The incident is expected to affect the factory’s operations and the livelihoods linked to it.
Cause of Fire Still Unknown
Authorities have started an investigation to determine the cause of the fire. Officials said they have not yet identified the origin of the blaze.
Fire department teams and forensic experts will examine the site. Initial assessments may focus on possible electrical faults or other technical issues.
Officials said they would share more details after completing the inquiry.
Concerns Over Industrial Fire Safety
The incident has raised concerns about fire safety in industrial units across North Tripura. Local authorities urged factory owners to install proper fire prevention systems.
They also stressed the need for regular safety inspections. Officials said such steps could help prevent similar incidents in the future.
Appeal for Support
Pritam Chandra Nath appealed to the authorities for assistance. He said support would help him rebuild the factory and resume operations.
“This fire destroyed everything in one night,” he said. “I hope to restart with government support.”
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