Eight police vehicles gutted in fire in Meghalaya

Shillong: As many as eight police vehicles, including three two-wheelers, were gutted in a fire inside a Meghalaya Police battalion headquarters at Goeragre near Tura town, officials said on Tuesday.

Police have detained two persons in this connection but were yet to ascertain the exact cause of the fire inside the high-security zone.

"Five gipsy vehicles, two motorcycles and a scooter were gutted in a fire at the motor transport branch of the Meghalaya Police 2nd battalion between 11.15 p.m. and 11.30 p.m. on Monday night," Battalion Commandant Heilmond Toi told IANS.

On noticing the fire, some of the personnel raised an alarm and prevented the fire from spreading further till the arrival of fire tenders which then successfully doused the flames.

"We managed to pull out two-three vehicles from the spot," the Commandant said. 

Asked if he suspected any foul play, Toi refused to comment saying that the investigation will ascertain the cause of the fire. 

Asked if he suspected the involvement of any militant group, Toi said: "An FIR has already been filed. We have also ordered for departmental and confidential inquiry into the incident."