A fire broke out at the restaurant atop the Biswa Bangla Gate in New Town on Wednesday evening, sending sparks towards the road, prompting police to divert traffic and triggering the evacuation of around 40 people from the elevated restaurant.
According to a report by Anandabazar, sparks were seen coming from the restaurant shortly after 6 pm during the evening of Dashami. The sparks fell towards the road below, alarming pedestrians and motorists passing through the area.
Traffic police quickly cordoned off the affected stretch and began diverting vehicles through an alternative route. The incident caused temporary congestion in the area as police restricted movement near the structure.
The report said employees and customers were inside the restaurant when the fire broke out. Around 40 people were believed to be present, with some customers dining at the time. As news of the fire spread, restaurant visitors were moved out of the premises and brought down to safety.
One fire engine reached the site after the fire department was alerted. Firefighters began efforts to control the flames and evacuate everyone from the restaurant. There was some initial confusion while people were being brought down from the elevated section, but all those inside were eventually evacuated safely, according to the report.
The exact cause of the fire had not been established when the report was published. Fire officials began examining the incident. A short circuit was considered a preliminary possibility, while investigators were also checking whether the fire may have started in the kitchen.
The Biswa Bangla Gate, located in New Town, includes an elevated restaurant and observation facility above a major road corridor. The incident placed immediate pressure on traffic management around the structure because sparks and possible falling debris posed a risk to people and vehicles below.
Police continued to regulate traffic around the site while firefighting operations were under way. Further details about the extent of damage, the condition of the restaurant and the final cause of the fire were expected after the fire department completed its examination.
