20 fire trucks are on site trying to control the fire (Representative)
Calcutta:
A massive fire broke out in the Baghbazar area of northern Kolkata tonight. 25 fire trucks are on the scene trying to control the fire that broke out in a poor neighborhood in the area.
At least 40 shacks have been reduced to ashes in the fire that broke out near the Baghbazar Women’s College. Explosions were heard in the slum that police suspect are gas cylinders in burning houses. The wind has made the situation worse.
There were no reports of casualties as most of the people were evacuated on time. The fire continues to burn 1.5 hours after it started. Efforts are underway to control the fire.
Locals alleged that firefighters arrived at the scene at least an hour late, causing the fire to get out of control.
A pair of police vehicles were vandalized, after which a team from the Rapid Action Force (RAF) was deployed to control the angry crowd, the officer said.
Traffic was stopped to and from the northern part of the city due to the fire. Power was also cut in the area.
The fire also spread to neighboring Sarada Mayer Bari as firefighters escorted the Saints, a fire department official told the PTI news agency.
It is not clear how the fire broke out.
“The reason for the fire is not yet known. Firefighters are fighting it tooth and nail and hopefully it will soon be under control. We have emptied the entire area. There were several explosions, which could be from gas cylinders,”, a senior Kolkata Police officer told PTI.
More details are expected.
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