A massive fire broke out at a dye manufacturing factory in Khardah, North 24 Parganas, sending plumes of thick smoke into the sky and triggering a major emergency response on Thursday.
The inferno, which started in the industrial unit located in the Khardah municipality area, quickly spread through the facility containing highly flammable chemicals and raw materials used in dye production.
Emergency Response and Containment Efforts
Multiple fire tender units rushed to the scene upon receiving alerts about the blaze. Firefighters battled the flames for hours, working tirelessly to prevent the fire from spreading to adjacent buildings in the densely populated industrial area.
"Our teams responded immediately to the emergency call and have been working to contain the fire," stated a senior fire department official. "The presence of chemicals made the operation particularly challenging."
Police Investigation Underway
Local police have launched a comprehensive investigation into the incident to determine the exact cause of the fire. Preliminary reports suggest the blaze might have originated from an electrical short circuit, though authorities are exploring all possibilities.
"We have initiated a thorough probe to ascertain whether there were any safety violations or negligence that contributed to this incident," informed a police officer from the Khardah police station.
Safety Concerns in Industrial Areas
This incident has once again raised serious questions about fire safety protocols in industrial units across West Bengal. The dense concentration of factories, many handling flammable materials, in residential areas has been a longstanding concern for safety officials.
Local residents expressed relief that the fire was contained before it could spread to nearby residential buildings, though many voiced concerns about the potential health hazards from the chemical smoke.
As investigations continue, authorities are assessing the extent of damage and ensuring that proper safety measures are implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future.
