Fire breaks out in slum in South Kolkata's Anandapur

A devastating fire broke out on Wednesday evening at Anandapur's Matangini Colony slum in South Kolkata’s Nonadanga area, leaving hundreds of residents homeless in the freezing winter. The blaze was first spotted around 6:20 PM, and within minutes, the entire area was engulfed in thick black smoke. The fire spread rapidly through the congested cluster of shanties, fueled by flammable materials and a series of cylinder explosions that were heard by panic-stricken locals.

Upon receiving the alarm, the fire department initially dispatched two engines to the spot. However, as the intensity of the flames increased, the count was raised to seven and then eleven engines. Firefighters worked on a war footing to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby high-rise buildings and garbage dumps. Local residents also joined the efforts, using buckets of water and sand to douse the pockets of fire before the official machinery could take full control.

The aftermath of the fire presents a grim picture of loss and despair. Many residents, mostly daily-wage earners, have lost their lifetime savings, clothes, and important documents to the flames. As the temperature dipped on Wednesday night, helpless families were seen huddling under the open sky, unsure of where to seek shelter. Voluntary organizations and local administration officials reached the spot to provide immediate relief, including blankets and dry food.

While the exact cause of the fire is yet to be officially confirmed, preliminary investigations suggest a short circuit as the likely trigger. Fire department officials stated that the high density of the huts and the presence of cooking gas cylinders acted as catalysts for the disaster.