KOLKATA — A massive fire broke out in a sprawling industrial complex in the outskirts of Kolkata late Thursday evening, sending thick plumes of black smoke billowing into the night sky and triggering a high-stakes emergency response. Local authorities have cordoned off the area as fire brigades battle to prevent the inferno from spreading to nearby residential settlements.
The blaze, which erupted shortly after 7:00 PM, reportedly began in a warehouse housing chemical solvents and plastic materials. Eyewitnesses described hearing a series of muffled explosions—believed to be pressurized containers bursting under extreme heat—shortly before the flames engulfed the main structure. Within minutes, the intensity of the fire grew, lighting up the horizon and forcing hundreds of local residents to evacuate their homes as a precautionary measure.
“The heat was so intense we could feel it from nearly a kilometer away,” said one local shopkeeper. “We saw sparks flying high into the air, and then the entire building just turned into a wall of orange flame. Everyone started running toward the main road in a panic.”
At least 15 fire tenders were rushed to the site as emergency teams struggled with low visibility and narrow access roads. Fire department officials at the scene confirmed that they are working to create a “fire break” to protect adjacent warehouses, which contain highly flammable petroleum products. “Our priority is to contain the perimeter and prevent the fire from reaching the fuel storage tanks situated at the rear of the property,” a senior fire official stated while coordinating efforts.
Despite the rapid response, the structural integrity of the main warehouse has been compromised, with sections of the roof collapsing inward. While there have been no confirmed fatalities as of midnight, two workers were treated for smoke inhalation by paramedics stationed at the scene. Authorities have not yet determined the exact number of people who were inside the facility when the blaze ignited, sparking concerns that some may still be unaccounted for.
Local police have deployed additional personnel to manage the massive crowds gathered along the perimeter, which has been hampering the movement of emergency vehicles. The cause of the fire remains unknown, though preliminary reports suggest a short circuit in the electrical paneling near the facility’s loading bay.
Disaster management teams remain on high alert, with water tankers being refilled continuously from nearby sources. The district administration has appealed to the public to stay clear of the area to allow rescue operations to continue uninterrupted. As the operation enters its fourth hour, the containment of the fire is expected to continue well into the early hours of Friday morning.
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