Massive fire burns down MG showroom at Maheshtala

A massive fire broke out at a prominent car service center and showroom on the evening of Lakshmi Puja, sending plumes of smoke and panic across the Maheshtala area of South 24 Parganas. The incident occurred at the Morris Garage (MG) facility situated on the busy Budge Budge Trunk Road, falling under Ward No. 11 of the municipality.

Eyewitnesses first spotted the flames within the showroom premises at approximately 9:45 pm on Monday night. The quick identification of the blaze prompted immediate calls to emergency services, initiating a rapid response from both the local police and the fire brigade, crucial steps that potentially prevented the fire from spreading to adjacent properties.

Upon receiving the alarm, a coordinated emergency effort was launched. Three fire engines were promptly dispatched and rushed to the scene to begin the arduous task of tackling the enormous blaze. Alongside them, a significant police contingent arrived to cordon off the area and manage the burgeoning crisis on the main road.

The severity of the fire, combined with the late hour of a major festival, resulted in a large number of local residents gathering at the spot. The police force utilized megaphones to direct and move the gathered ordinary citizens back to a safe distance, ensuring that the fire brigade personnel could work unimpeded and without risk to the public.

After an intense, hour-long struggle, the fire brigade managed to bring the massive conflagration under control. However, officials noted that even at the time of reporting, the fire had not been declared completely extinguished, suggesting that pockets of fire or hot spots still required attention to prevent any flare-up.

While the exact number of vehicles damaged remains unclear, local residents confirmed that several cars were engulfed in the flames. Given that the facility operates as both a sales and service center, and the incident occurred during the peak festive season, it is estimated that a substantial number of new vehicles intended for delivery were likely present and severely damaged.