Major Fire Engulfs Kolkata Furniture Shop, Sparks Mass Evacuation
A significant fire erupted on Wednesday morning at a ground-floor furniture shop in central Kolkata. The blaze completely gutted the establishment and caused partial damage to three adjacent shops. Dozens of families living in nearby residential buildings had to evacuate urgently as thick smoke filled the area, creating widespread panic.
Fire Breaks Out Near Police Station
The fire was reported around 10:50 am at 42/3, BB Ganguly Street. This location is just a few meters away from the Bowbazar Police Station. Eleven fire tenders rushed to the scene and battled the flames for over four hours before gaining control. The fire spread rapidly through the congested lane, which is situated behind Bow Barracks and contains numerous commercial and residential properties.
Shop Destroyed, Neighbors Impacted
The furniture shop suffered total destruction in the incident. Three neighboring shops experienced partial damage from the intense heat and flames. Police officials stated that information regarding any injuries or possible entrapment was still being gathered at the time.
Employees Describe Terrifying Moments
Employees working inside the shop reported first noticing smoke and sparks while handling furniture. "We tried using fire extinguishers, but within minutes the flames went out of control," one worker explained. The staff managed to evacuate safely. Some workers, along with local residents, attempted to move furniture out of the premises before the fire intensified significantly.
Residents Forced to Flee Their Homes
The smoke quickly spread through adjoining buildings, causing alarm among residents. More than two dozen families living in nearby structures evacuated themselves after noticing smoke entering their homes. Many residents remained stranded on the street for hours as firefighting operations continued.
Mohammad Jabbar, a resident of 43, BB Ganguly Street, described the sudden evacuation. "We smelled smoke and then saw it coming into our rooms. We just grabbed our documents and left," Jabbar said.
Another resident, Minal Seth, highlighted the plight of vulnerable individuals. "Many children had just returned from school and could not even enter their homes. Elderly people were extremely scared and had difficulty moving," Seth noted.
Families Displaced for Hours
Several families, including those with young children, were taken to relatives' houses. They were asked to wait until the fire department declared the buildings safe for re-entry. By late afternoon, many residents were still awaiting clearance to return to their homes, uncertain about the condition of their properties.
Firefighting Challenges in Congested Area
Fire officials revealed that their operations faced significant obstacles. Narrow access roads and cluttered interiors filled with combustible materials hampered their efforts to contain the blaze quickly. Police cordoned off BB Ganguly Street and diverted traffic for several hours. This disruption threw movement out of gear in the central business district until around 2 pm, affecting daily commuters and local businesses.
The incident underscores the fire risks in densely populated urban areas with mixed commercial and residential use. Authorities continue to investigate the exact cause of the fire while assessing the full extent of property damage and community impact.
