A sudden fire swept through the Shillong Literary Fest 2026 at Ward's Lake on Thursday evening, destroying four food stalls and forcing organizers to shut down a live concert.
The blaze ignited around 8:30 pm.
Moments earlier, an evening talk show had wrapped up at the lakeside venue. But with a musical programme still underway for festival attendees, flames rapidly caught the temporary structures erected on the festival grounds. The fire engulfed the stalls within minutes before teams brought the blaze under control.
East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem confirmed that four food stalls were destroyed in the incident.
| Incident Parameter | Official Status |
|---|---|
| Event & Location | Shillong Literary Fest 2026, Ward's Lake |
| Incident Time | Thursday, ~8:30 pm |
| Confirmed Damage | 4 food stalls destroyed |
| Program Impact | Musical performance halted |
| Cause & Loss Assessment | Under investigation by officials |
The cause of the ignition remains unknown. Officials stated that investigators have yet to ascertain what sparked the fire, while assessments continue to determine the exact extent of physical damage and financial loss at the venue.