A devastating fire broke out in the Sholo Bigha slum near Eastern Railway's Santoshpur station on Saturday at 1:48 pm, gutting approximately 50-60 shanties. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The blaze caused significant disruption to traffic and train services in the area.
Fire Spread and Response
According to a fire official, the fire originated from a kitchen in one of the hutments and quickly spread to neighboring shanties. Around 6 to 8 fire tenders were pressed into service, and their parking on Budge Budge Road brought traffic to a standstill from around 2 pm. The fire was brought under control after several hours of effort.
Impact on Train Services
Rajeev Saxena, Divisional Railway Manager of Sealdah, stated that a cylinder blast was suspected to have caused the fire. The intense heat melted the Overhead Equipment (OHE) cables, leading to a suspension of train operations on the Sealdah-Budge Budge route. Services resumed partially from Budge Budge to Sealdah at 9:40 pm, and the Majerhat to Budge Budge section was restored at 10:45 pm.
The incident caused inconvenience to thousands of commuters who faced delays and cancellations. Railway officials worked round the clock to restore normalcy.
No Casualties, Relief Efforts Underway
Despite the extensive damage, no casualties were reported. Local authorities and NGOs have initiated relief efforts for the displaced families. The cause of the fire is under investigation, with preliminary reports suggesting a gas cylinder explosion.
The Sholo Bigha slum is a densely populated area, and such incidents highlight the vulnerability of informal settlements to fire hazards. Residents have urged the administration to provide better safety measures and compensation for the loss of their homes and belongings.
