Several shops in a congested market area were gutted after a fire broke out at Rajabazar area in central Kolkata on Sunday, fire department officials said.
Officials in the fire department said that the fire started around 2:10 pm. At least 12 tenders were pressed into action. The fire was brought under control by 4 pm.
“The fire was brought under control after two hours. There were no injuries. The fire could have spread but 12 tenders brought it under control,” said Sujit Bose, state fire and emergency services minister.
A senior official of the fire department said that fire first broke out in a shop which dealt with lamination. As it was a congested market area and shops were stacked with all kinds of inflammable articles including plastic, paints, adhesives, jute bags and stationery items the fire spread very fast.
“Several LPG cylinders which were stored in the market exploded which helped the fire to spread. We managed to bring out some of cylinders,” said a fire brigade official.
As it was a Sunday the market was closed and hence chances of anyone sustaining injuries were remote.
Around 2 pm some locals spotted smoke billowing out and informed the fire brigade. Locals rushed to the spot before the fire brigade arrived and started dousing the flames by pouring buckets of water.
{{/usCountry}}Around 2 pm some locals spotted smoke billowing out and informed the fire brigade. Locals rushed to the spot before the fire brigade arrived and started dousing the flames by pouring buckets of water.
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