Short circuit may have caused fire in Kolkata bazaar

2,500 shops gutted, however, no casualties were reported

KOLKATA: A major fire broke out in Kolkata on Saturday morning gutting a substantial portion of Burrabazar. Although eight buildings including a 15-storied one was completely destroyed, there were no casualties.

The fire broke out at around 1.30 am on Saturday morning but it was only till late Saturday afternoon that the authorities were able to put out the blaze. Due to many unauthorised and with highly inflammable articles like polythene sheets, the fire spread  quickly.

Police commissioner Gautam Mohan Chakraborty said 42 fire engines from different fire-services stations were requisitioned to bring the fire under control. Later, fire engines from the army and air-force were pressed into service.

He said the detective and forensic departments will  conduct enquiries to ascertain the  reasons for the fire. At present, it appears that a short-circuit was the cause.