A fire at Kolkata’s Baghajatin market destroyed at least 45 shops early on Tuesday, leaving traders facing heavy losses during the Durga Puja season. Fifteen fire engines were deployed to the blaze, which had not been fully brought under control by 8 am, according to Sangbad Pratidin – Kolkata.
The fire was reported shortly after 3.30 am at the old and busy market, where a large number of small and large vendors depend on daily trade for their livelihoods. One fire engine reached the site initially, while the firefighting operation was later expanded to 15 engines as the flames spread across the market.
Most of the affected shops were reportedly used to sell puja-related goods, including items associated with Dashakarma rituals. Traders said stock kept for the continuing festive season was destroyed. One woman vendor told the publication that her shop had been storing idols of Lakshmi and other puja materials for sale after Durga Puja, but the entire stock was lost in the fire.
The scale of the destruction has left traders seeking financial assistance from the West Bengal government. Several vendors said they had invested more money than usual ahead of the festive season, expecting higher sales during Durga Puja and the period leading to Lakshmi Puja. For many of them, the market is their only source of income.
Residents and traders also alleged that the fire service response was delayed. According to the report, the first engine arrived after the fire had already engulfed several shops, with additional engines reaching the site gradually. The allegations have not been independently confirmed in the supplied report, while the fire department was examining how the blaze began.
The cause of the fire remained unclear in the latest available update. No official assessment of the total financial loss or details of any relief package had been reported by 8 am. The immediate priorities remained bringing the fire fully under control, assessing the damaged shops and determining the circumstances that led to the outbreak.
