A major fire broke out in Kolkata’s Ezra Street near the Burrabazar police station area on Wednesday night, causing panic among pedestrians and local business owners. The incident occurred around 8 PM, as multiple shops caught fire near Teriti Bazaar.
According to reports, 12 fire engines have already arrived at the scene to control the blaze. The initial source of the fire appears to be a wooden box warehouse located across from Teriti Bazaar, from where the flames spread to nearby shops. The intensity of the fire has left other shopkeepers worried, and firefighters are working swiftly to bring the situation under control.
The fire reportedly began in the wooden warehouse, which was located near an electrical wire depot, raising concerns about a large quantity of flammable materials stored in the area. Firefighters believe this is why the fire spread so rapidly to the surrounding shops.
Local sources indicate that shopkeepers noticed the fire a few moments after it began, causing a slight delay in notifying the fire department. Initially, two fire engines reached the scene, but due to the intensity of the fire, additional engines were called in. At present, 12 fire engines are actively engaged in dousing the flames. Local business owners have also joined efforts to help extinguish the fire.
With Kali Puja and Diwali just around the corner, the Ezra Street market usually sees a large crowd, with shopkeepers setting up stalls featuring a variety of neon lights and other festive items. Wednesday night was no exception, as the market was bustling with shoppers when the fire broke out, leading to widespread panic among the public and business community.
As of now, the cause of the fire is still unclear, and an investigation is underway to determine how it started and assess the extent of the damage.