Fire breaks out at Abhishek Banerjee's rally stage in Birbhum's Labhpur

A fire broke out on a portion of the stage shortly after a public meeting addressed by Abhishek Banerjee in Labhpur on Saturday, triggering brief panic at the venue. The blaze was spotted after the rally had concluded, with smoke rising from the upper section of the structure. Fire brigade personnel present at the site quickly responded and brought the situation under control. Banerjee had already left the stage and is reported to be safe.

According to initial information, the cloth covering the roof of the stage caught fire soon after the event ended. The area was immediately evacuated, and people were moved to a safe distance as firefighters began extinguishing the flames. The prompt response ensured that the fire did not spread further, and the situation was stabilised within a short time.

Earlier in the day, Banerjee had addressed the gathering, criticising the central government over rising cooking gas prices and accusing the BJP of attempting to create divisions among people. He also highlighted the development initiatives undertaken by the state government and assured continued support for residents.

The cause of the fire remains unclear, with officials yet to determine whether it resulted from a short circuit or another factor. Fire and police authorities have initiated an investigation into the incident. While no injuries have been reported, the episode briefly heightened tension at the venue before normalcy was restored.