Naypyitaw fire leaves two injured, destroys 300 houses

By Than Htike Oo
Mizzima News

March 11, 2008; Chiang Mai – A devastating fire broke out in three wards of Leway, Naypyitaw on March 9 at 2 p.m. injuring two and destroying 325 houses. Half the town was razed to the ground before the blaze could be brought under control.

The fire started from the household of Daw Khin Nyo in No. 5 Ward, Leway Township, Mandalay Division. Then it spread north to No. 6 Ward and Inbu Ward. It was brought under control at about 4:20 p.m.

Twenty fire tenders from Pyinmana, Leway, Tatkon, Swa, Myohla and Thargara Townships rushed to the scene and extinguished the fire.

This is the first ever fire after government offices were shifted to the new capital city. The Naypyitaw regional command commander and Minister of Progress of Border Areas & National Races & Development Affairs Col. Than Nyunt arrived at the scene later.

Naypyitaw comprises three townships -- Pyinmana, Leway and Tatkon.

"The fire tenders in Leway are out of order. About 20 fire tenders from Naypyitaw arrived in Leway after the fire had destroyed almost half of the town. One of the fire tenders in Leway is out of order. Another fire tender had no water and had to be pushed to the site of the fire. The situation is worse than it should be," a local resident in Naypyitaw said.
The New Light of Myanmar newspaper reported that the relief centres were opened at Sasana Beikman in No. 3 Ward and in a primary school in No. 6 Ward. But local residents said that some fire victims are living in makeshift huts built in the rice fields and the meal packages are being sent to them by well wishers from other wards in the township.