Massive fire erupts in Kolkata's Bagri market, no casualties reported

Kolkata: A massive fire erupted on early Sunday morning in Kolkata's Bagri market. The market is situated in the congested Burrabazar area in central Kolkata.

The fire broke out around 2.30 am on the ground floor of the building on Canning Street and spread to other floors quickly, a senior fire official said.

Around 30 fire tenders were rushed to the spot and no immediate casualty has been reported. A ladder has been brought to reach the top of the five-storied building, sources said.

Hydraulic ladders and gas cutters were used in the operation to cut through grills of gates and small windows to enter the building.

"Even after six hours, we are finding it difficult to contain the fire. A forensic team will be visiting the site to ascertain the cause of the fire. As innumerable inflammable articles were stacked inside the building, the blaze spread quickly," official added.

Kolkata Mayor Sovan Chatterjee visited the market in Canning Street in the early hours, he said, "The fire broke out at 2:45 am. We are trying our best but firefighting operation is tough here because of the number of buildings. No injuries have been reported so far."

(Photo: ANI/Twitter)

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee told reporters at the airport, "Nobody is trapped in the building. Also, no report of any casualty or injury has reached us".

Unconfirmed reports said people, who resided in the top floor of the building, managed to escape as soon as the fire broke out.

A few angry shop owners alleged that the fire officials took time to start the operation. Anil Mehta, one of the shop owners, said, "I have lost everything in the blaze just before Durga Puja. My store, as well as a godown, was gutted in the fire."

Traffic police have put restrictions in and around Canning Street.

The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.

(With inputs from agencies)