A ferocious fire tore through the bustling Sohum Emporia commercial hub in Guwahati’s Christian Basti area early Wednesday, gutting multiple floors and sparking widespread alarm among locals. The inferno, which erupted around 2 am, swiftly consumed the six-story structure, including outlets like Hamleys toy store on the ground level and upper floors housing State Bank of India (SBI) branches.
Firefighters mounted a grueling overnight battle, deploying 12 to 15 tenders to combat the raging flames and thick black smoke billowing skyward, visible from distant neighbourhoods. Emergency teams from nearby stations rushed to the ABC point location near GS Road after frantic calls from residents awakened by the roar of the blaze.
The fire’s rapid ascent trapped valuables inside, with preliminary estimates suggesting crores in losses from charred documents, cash reserves, and office equipment at the SBI offices—none of which could be salvaged amid the chaos. While no casualties have been reported, the economic loss is estimated to be in the crores.
