A fire broke out at around 4 a.m. on Tuesday at a shop selling puja items in Bagha Jatin market, South Kolkata, and spread to 14 other shops, prompting 15 fire tenders to respond and leaving traders facing heavy losses, though no casualties have been reported.
Key Takeaways
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A fire at Bagha Jatin market in South Kolkata gutted an estimated 15 shops on Tuesday.
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Fifteen fire tenders took nearly three hours to bring the blaze under control. No casualties have been reported.
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The fire disrupted traffic on Raja SC Mallick Road. Authorities are yet to determine the cause and assess the total financial losses.
The fire reportedly started at around 4 a.m. in a shop selling puja items. The flames quickly spread to nearby establishments, triggering panic among traders in the market.
Officials from the State Fire Services Department said the exact cause of the fire remains unknown. Investigators will examine the circumstances surrounding the incident to establish how the blaze started.
Initial assessments suggest that the fire destroyed 15 shops. However, officials said they would determine the extent of the damage after a detailed investigation.
The blaze caused significant concern among traders, many of whom rushed to the market after hearing about the incident early Tuesday morning.
Fifteen Fire Tenders Battle Blaze for Nearly Three Hours
Fire services personnel launched an extensive operation to contain the fire. Fifteen fire tenders eventually took part in the firefighting effort.
The operation lasted nearly three hours before firefighters brought the blaze under control. As the flames intensified, officials deployed additional fire tenders to strengthen the response.
Firefighters also worked to stop the flames from spreading to other parts of the market. Their efforts helped contain the blaze and prevent further damage to nearby establishments.
A fire department official confirmed that the situation was under control after the prolonged operation.
Despite the scale of the fire, authorities reported no casualties. Officials have yet to provide a final assessment of the property damage.
Netaji Nagar Police Reach Spot
Personnel from Netaji Nagar Police Station reached the market after receiving information about the fire in the morning. The authorities also alerted the State Fire Services Department promptly.
Police personnel remained at the scene to manage the situation. They also worked to regulate traffic as the firefighting operation affected movement along a key road in the area.
The fire disrupted traffic on Raja SC Mallick Road, which connects Garia and Jadavpur. The incident added to the difficulties faced by residents and commuters while emergency teams worked to contain the blaze.
Traders Face Heavy Losses During Puja Season
The fire left several traders devastated. Many rushed to Baghajatin Bazar after learning that flames had engulfed the market.
Traders faced the prospect of losing their shops and merchandise during the puja season. The destruction of an estimated 15 shops has raised concerns over the financial impact on those affected.
However, officials have not yet quantified the losses. The final assessment will follow a detailed investigation into the incident and the damage caused by the fire.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Jadavpur, Sharbari Mukherjee, also visited the affected market. Her presence came as traders gathered at the site to assess the damage.
Cause of Fire and Damage Assessment Awaited
The immediate priority was to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading further. Firefighters brought the situation under control after nearly three hours of effort.
The exact cause of the fire remains undetermined. Officials will need to investigate the incident before reaching a conclusion.
The estimated toll stands at 15 gutted shops, but authorities have yet to establish the total financial loss. No casualties have been reported so far.
The incident has left traders in Bagha Jatin market grappling with the aftermath of a devastating fire during the puja season. (Edited by Enewstime Desk)