Fire scare at Kolkata’s Acropolis Mall turns out to be routine safety drill, sparks panic

On Saturday afternoon, a fire scare at Acropolis Mall in South Kolkata caused a brief panic among visitors. Shoppers were seen hastily descending the stairs after sensing a fire, but it was later clarified that the incident was part of a routine fire drill. The drill was being conducted to assess the mall’s preparedness in handling fire emergencies. Mall officials confirmed that the situation was completely under control and there was no real threat to safety.

Sarbani Mukherjee, a representative of Acropolis Mall, assured that such drills are held once a year and are designed to test fire response systems. “There is no need to panic. This is part of our scheduled safety exercise,” she said. The drill was carried out with coordination from the Fire Department and local police to ensure the safety of both visitors and employees.

The mall management had previously faced significant challenges after a devastating fire broke out in June of the previous year. The fire, which originated from a restaurant within the mall, led to a months-long closure for repairs and safety upgrades. The incident raised concerns about fire safety protocols, which prompted the mall to enhance its emergency systems.

Following the fire last year, the mall undertook substantial improvements, including upgraded exhaust systems and additional fire safety measures. The drill held on Saturday was part of an ongoing effort to ensure that these new systems function effectively in real emergencies.