A massive fire followed by a series of powerful explosions jolted Kolkata’s Kankurgachhi–Ghosh Bagan area in the early hours of Thursday, triggering widespread panic among residents and marking the city’s second major fire incident within 24 hours.
According to fire department officials and local residents, the incident occurred at around 3 am, when flames were first spotted inside a warehouse in the Ghosh Bagan locality. Within minutes, loud explosions began ripping through the area, with eyewitnesses claiming 25 to 30 moderate-to-strong blasts were heard in quick succession. The intensity of the explosions was such that houses nearly 200 metres away reportedly shook, forcing people to rush out of their homes in fear.
At least seven fire tenders were immediately dispatched to the spot, while four ambulances were also deployed as a precaution. Firefighters are continuing operations to fully douse the blaze and prevent it from spreading further. Local residents initially attempted to control the flames using water before emergency services arrived.
While the exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined, sources suggest the warehouse may have been storing flammable materials or cylinders, though officials have not confirmed this. The fire department has stated that a detailed investigation will be conducted once the situation is fully under control.
The incident created scenes of chaos through the night, with many residents comparing the experience to being in a “war zone.” Several families temporarily evacuated the area as a safety measure. As of now, there is no official confirmation on casualties or the scale of property damage.
The Kankurgachhi blast came just hours after a major fire in Newtown on December 17, where flames broke out in a slum area in the evening. That fire spread rapidly across adjoining shanties, prompting the deployment of multiple fire tenders. No injuries were reported in the Newtown incident, but the back-to-back fires have heightened concerns over safety and emergency preparedness in the city.
Police have cordoned off the affected area in Kankurgachhi and begun an investigation to determine how the fire started and what triggered the explosions. Authorities are expected to release an official statement once preliminary findings are available.
Disclaimer: The information above is based on initial reports from local residents, fire services, and emergency responders. Details regarding casualties, cause, and damage are yet to be officially confirmed.