Major Fire at Kolkata’s Ezra Street: 300 Shops Destroyed as 20 Fire Engines Battle Blaze

A massive blaze swept through Kolkata’s bustling Ezra Street market early Saturday morning, leaving nearly 300 shops completely gutted. The tightly packed lanes, filled with shops and godowns storing electrical items and wooden plywood, allowed the fire to spread at an alarming pace.

Authorities confirmed that no casualties were reported, thanks to the immediate evacuation of residents from nearby buildings. More than 20 fire tenders were deployed to bring the fire under control, with officials suspecting a short circuit as the initial cause.

According to fire department officials, preliminary findings suggest that the fire may have originated from a short circuit inside one of the commercial units. The presence of highly combustible materials made the situation worse.

The narrow bylanes, congested structures, and closely packed warehouses contributed to the rapid spread of flames.

Key Factors Behind the Fire’s Rapid Growth

• Shops storing electrical appliances and wooden materials
  

• Godowns closely adjoining one another
  

• Old and congested buildings
  

• Lanes too narrow for quick fire engine access
  

Impact of the Major Fire at Kolkata’s Ezra Street

Economic Losses

The destruction of 300 shops means a massive financial setback for store owners and wholesalers.

• Electrical shops
  

• Plywood godowns
  

• Small wholesalers
  

• Storage units