A fire that broke out in a three-storey building in Howrah’s Chatterjeehat area on Saturday morning gutted the structure and four adjoining shops, leaving one person seriously injured, according to a report by Sangbad Pratidin – Kolkata. Five occupants were rescued from the building, while the fire was brought under control after nearly two hours of firefighting.
The blaze started in the early hours at the New Road area during Mahalaya morning and spread rapidly through the building. The ground floor reportedly housed a rubber godown or factory, which fire department sources identified as the likely point from where the flames spread. The exact cause of the fire has not yet been established.
Three fire engines reached the location after the incident was reported. A fourth engine was later sent to the site as firefighters worked to prevent the flames from spreading further. Local residents also attempted to help control the fire before and during the arrival of the fire services.
Sheikh Nazir Hossain, an elderly resident, was rescued in an injured condition. He was first taken to a local hospital and later shifted to Howrah District Hospital for treatment. The report did not provide details of the nature of his injuries.
The fire caused extensive damage to the three-storey house and four shops. The building’s occupants escaped, but the incident raised concerns about the presence of an industrial activity in a densely occupied residential structure and the availability of fire-safety equipment.
A local resident, Debabrata Choudhury, told Sangbad Pratidin that he saw the fire break out suddenly in the early morning. He said the residents narrowly escaped and that the incident could have become more serious.
Fire department sources cited in the report said the premises did not have adequate firefighting arrangements. The department has reportedly filed a complaint at the police station against the factory. While a short circuit has been mentioned as a possible cause, officials have not confirmed the origin of the fire.
The fire has been fully brought under control, and officials are examining the circumstances that led to the incident. The investigation will determine whether the rubber operation, electrical systems or other conditions at the premises contributed to the spread of the blaze.
