A massive fire erupted at an electronics goods warehouse in central Kolkata on Tuesday, sending thick plumes of smoke billowing into the sky and triggering a massive response from the city's fire department.
Fire Breaks Out in Commercial Hub
The blaze started at a multi-story building functioning as an electronics warehouse located in the busy Bagri Market area, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Posta police station. The incident was reported in the afternoon hours, with flames quickly spreading through the structure that was packed with electronic items and appliances.
Local residents and shopkeepers in the vicinity first noticed smoke emerging from the building and immediately alerted the authorities. Within minutes, the fire had grown in intensity, creating panic in the commercial neighborhood known for its wholesale markets and storage facilities.
Massive Firefighting Operation Deployed
Fire department officials confirmed that 14 fire engines were rushed to the spot to combat the rapidly spreading flames. Firefighters faced significant challenges due to the nature of the stored materials - electronic goods and components that can produce toxic fumes when burning.
The narrow lanes of the Bagri Market area initially hampered the firefighting efforts, but crews managed to position their equipment effectively to douse the flames. Water jets were directed at the building from multiple angles as firefighters worked to prevent the fire from spreading to adjacent structures in the densely packed commercial area.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as thick, black smoke enveloped the area, reducing visibility and causing breathing difficulties for those nearby. Local authorities quickly cordoned off the area to ensure public safety and allow fire crews to work without obstruction.
Immediate Response and Damage Assessment
As of the latest reports, there have been no confirmed casualties from the incident, which officials described as a significant relief given the scale of the fire. The exact cause of the blaze remains under investigation, with authorities yet to determine what sparked the initial flames.
The warehouse contained substantial inventory of electronic goods, though the exact value of the damage is still being assessed. Building safety officials have been called to examine the structural integrity of the affected building once the fire is completely extinguished.
This incident highlights the ongoing fire safety concerns in Kolkata's older commercial districts, where many buildings house warehouses and storage facilities without adequate fire prevention systems. The dense urban fabric and narrow access routes in areas like Bagri Market present additional challenges for emergency response teams.
Fire department officials indicated that their primary focus remains on completely extinguishing the blaze and preventing any reignition. An investigation into the exact cause of the fire will commence once the situation is fully under control.
