Massive late-night fire engulfs scrap warehouse in Kharagpur

A massive fire broke out at a scrap warehouse in the Shobhapur area under Kharagpur Local police station limits in West Medinipur district on Monday night, triggering panic among nearby residents. The fire is suspected to have been caused by a short circuit, though the exact reason is yet to be confirmed.

According to local sources, the flames spread rapidly after breaking out, as the godown stored a large quantity of old drums and other scrap materials. The blaze soon took a fierce form, raising fears that it could spread to surrounding residential areas.

The Kharagpur Fire Brigade was immediately alerted. Despite concerns over the distance, fire personnel reached the spot promptly and managed to bring the fire under control within minutes, preventing a major mishap. Their swift action helped contain the flames before they could cause further damage.

District INTUC president Gopal Khatua said the scrap warehouse belongs to local resident Sheikh Mantu. While no casualties were reported, all scrap materials stored in the godown were reduced to ashes, and heavy financial losses are feared. Police reached the scene soon after the incident and have initiated an investigation to ascertain the precise cause of the fire.