Fire engulfs jute factory in Howrah’s Liluah, 12 fire engines deployed

A massive fire broke out at a jute factory in Howrah's Liluah Eksada area on Friday afternoon, causing panic among workers and residents. The blaze, suspected to have started due to a short circuit, quickly spread due to the highly flammable materials stored in the factory. 12 fire engines were rushed to the scene, battling the flames for nearly four hours before bringing the situation under control.

The fire reportedly started around 2 PM, engulfing a large section of the factory within minutes. Workers and nearby residents scrambled to safety, and thick black smoke was seen billowing into the sky from a distance. Fire officials said that the rapid spread of the fire was fueled by the presence of jute, chemicals, and other easily combustible materials inside the factory premises.

Authorities initially suspect that the fire was triggered by a short circuit, but a detailed investigation is underway to determine the exact cause. No casualties have been reported so far, but the extent of property damage is yet to be assessed. Firefighters worked tirelessly to prevent the flames from spreading to nearby residential and industrial units.

Local residents described chaotic scenes as the fire raged, with emergency sirens blaring and thick smoke making it difficult to breathe. Many were seen evacuating their homes in fear of the fire spreading further. Fire officials had to use high-powered water jets and advanced firefighting equipment to douse the flames.

Firefighters faced significant challenges due to strong winds and highly combustible materials in the factory. The operation required careful coordination to ensure nearby structures remained safe. Officials confirmed that it took nearly four hours of rigorous efforts before the fire was completely brought under control.

While the immediate danger has been averted, authorities are now focusing on assessing the damage and investigating safety lapses at the factory. A probe has been launched to determine if fire safety regulations were followed, and legal action may be taken if any violations are found. The fire department has urged all industrial units in the area to conduct safety audits to prevent similar incidents in the future.