Fire breaks out in textile market warehouse in Bankra, Howrah; five fire tenders deployed

A major fire broke out in a warehouse on the fifth floor of a textile market in Bankra, Howrah district, on Friday night, causing panic among traders and local residents. Five fire tenders were immediately deployed to bring the situation under control, and with the help of local people, the flames were doused successfully.

According to District Fire Officer Ranjan Kumar, the control room received an emergency call about the fire at around 8:15 PM. Firefighters swiftly responded, rushing to the site and starting operations to contain the blaze before it could spread to nearby structures. "Local people also helped a lot in dousing the fire. Information is being gathered about how the fire started," said Kumar.

The textile market in Bankra is a major hub for fabric and garment trading, with multiple shops and warehouses located in close proximity. Given the presence of flammable materials, such as cloth and packaging materials, the fire posed a significant risk of rapid spread. However, due to timely intervention by the fire department, a larger disaster was averted.

Eyewitnesses reported thick smoke billowing from the building, creating chaos and concern in the market area. Traders and workers present at the time of the incident evacuated immediately, and there were no reports of injuries or casualties.

The exact cause of the fire is still unknown, and authorities are conducting an investigation to determine whether it was due to an electrical short circuit, negligence, or any other reason. The extent of the damage to the warehouse is yet to be assessed, though initial reports suggest that several materials and goods inside were completely destroyed.

As the investigation continues, authorities have urged business owners in the area to take necessary fire safety precautions to prevent similar incidents in the future. The fire department has also increased monitoring of commercial areas prone to such accidents, ensuring strict compliance with safety regulations.