A massive fire broke out at dawn on Saturday in an electrical goods shop on Ezra Street in Kolkata’s crowded Burrabazar area, quickly turning into a devastating blaze that spread to nearby buildings within minutes.
The flames, first seen on the first floor of 17 Ezra Street by early morning risers, intensified rapidly as they reached unidentified combustible materials stored inside the premises.
Locals initially attempted to control the fire themselves, but the blaze grew too fierce, forcing them to retreat.
The densely packed neighbourhood, marked by narrow lanes, closely built structures, and large stacks of inflammable goods, severely hampered firefighting efforts. Engines struggled to reach the engulfed shops due to blocked pathways and piles of construction material.
What began with six fire tenders soon escalated into a massive operation, with more than 20 fire engines deployed as the fire spread from the original building to another adjacent structure, eventually engulfing both completely.
Firefighters have been battling the flames for nearly three hours, attempting to reach the centre of the first building to locate the source and cut off the fire’s core.
Despite the scale of the blaze, no casualties have been reported so far. Small traders and shop owners, however, were seen fleeing the area in panic, many watching helplessly as the fire inched closer to their establishments.
Fire brigade officials described the situation as “extremely difficult,” given the congested layout of the area and the heavy presence of flammable stock that allowed the flames to leap from one structure to another swiftly.
Efforts to bring the fire under control are ongoing.
The post Massive fire breaks out in Kolkata’s Burrabazar appeared first on Maktoob media.
