Scooter battery explosion causes major fire in Anwar Shah road slum, 1 injured and multiple homes damaged

A fire erupted early Monday morning in a slum on Prince Anwar Shah Road, Kolkata, injuring one resident and damaging several homes. The fire ignited around 5:30 a.m. due to a scooter battery explosion while it was being charged inside a house. The blast created a massive fireball that quickly spread to neighboring structures, engulfing at least 6 to 7 homes in flames.

The Kolkata Fire Department received emergency calls shortly after the explosion. In response, five fire engines were dispatched to the scene. Firefighters faced challenges in controlling the blaze due to its rapid spread and the presence of flammable materials in the densely populated slum area. By 7:30 a.m., the fire had been largely extinguished, but firefighters remained on-site to monitor for any potential flare-ups as smoke continued to rise from the debris.

The injured individual, Rana Naskar, was in the home at the time of the explosion. Reports indicate that Rana’s mother had left the house earlier in the morning and secured the door from the outside, which trapped him inside during the fire. He suffered serious injuries and was promptly taken to M.R. Bangur Hospital for medical attention. The hospital has confirmed that he is currently receiving treatment, although his condition has not been disclosed.

Local residents expressed their frustrations over the emergency response times. Witnesses claimed they had called the fire department multiple times before help arrived. They reported that the fire engines took nearly an hour to reach the scene, allowing the fire to cause more extensive damage than it otherwise might have. Community members voiced concerns about the overall emergency response system in their area, fearing that delays could have life-threatening consequences.

In addition to the fire department's delayed response, locals also criticized the police for their lack of immediate assistance. Residents indicated that they first sought help from the Golf Green Police Station, but no officers were dispatched initially. It wasn't until later that the Lake Police Station responded, arriving at the scene to assist with crowd control and to manage the aftermath of the incident. Investigations are ongoing to assess the full extent of the damage, and local authorities are working to provide support to those affected by the fire. Community leaders are also calling for improved safety measures and emergency response protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.