Kolkata: A devastating fire tore through the bustling Khidderpore market in the heart of Kolkata in the early hours of Monday, leaving behind a trail of destruction and despair. The blaze, which broke out shortly after 1 AM, engulfed a vast stretch of the densely packed commercial area, gutting over 1,300 shops, according to local residents.
Flames spread rapidly through the crowded lanes, fueled by the tightly packed shops and the presence of an oil warehouse within the market. The inferno, intensified by the flammable materials stored inside, consumed everything in its path within minutes. Traders and locals watched helplessly as their livelihoods turned to ashes overnight.
At least 20 fire tenders have been deployed to battle the blaze, but even hours later, firefighters were still struggling to bring it under control. By morning, several pockets of the market were still smouldering, with “pocket fires” erupting in multiple locations, making firefighting efforts more difficult.
What sparked the fire remains unclear, though the scale of the damage is all too visible. Shopkeepers allege that the fire department arrived late despite being informed promptly. “We kept calling, but it took them nearly an hour and a half to reach the spot,” said one shop owner. “Even after arriving late, the fire engines did not have water to douse the fire,” he added.
The financial blow to traders is enormous. Hundreds of small and medium-scale business owners, many of whom rely solely on their market stalls for income, have been left with nothing but charred remnants. “Everything is gone. My entire shop, my goods – all reduced to rubble. I don’t know how I’ll start again,” said another trader, standing amidst the ruins of what was once a thriving business.
(With inputs from ABP Ananda.)
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