A devastating fire swept through a slum in the Narkeldanga area, claiming one life and leaving approximately 200 residents homeless. The blaze began at around 10 PM on Saturday, February 8, 2025. It ended up destroying at least 30 shanties before being fully extinguished in the wee hours of the morning on Sunday, February 9, 2025. Here are all of the other important details that you would need to know about this particularly tragic blaze.
Major Fire Breaks Out At Narkeldanga Slum In Kolkata
According to an article that was recently published by Telegraph India, the Fire Brigade officials confirmed that the sole casualty was 65-year-old Habibullah Mollah. He was a rag picker whose charred remains were discovered during the search and rescue operation after the flames were doused.
Remarkably, no other serious injuries were reported in the incident. The emergency response was substantial, with 17 fire engines dispatched to tackle the inferno. Fire Brigade personnel battled the flames for more than five hours. Finally, the situation was brought under control at approximately 3 AM on Sunday.
The proximity of the Narkeldanga police station to the affected area proved advantageous, as officers were able to quickly coordinate with firefighters to manage traffic flow along Narkeldanga Main Road throughout the emergency.
The Cause Of This Fire Is Not Reported As Of Now
The intensity of the fire and its rapid spread through the densely packed shanties presented a significant challenge to the firefighting teams. The close-knit nature of slum settlements, often characterised by makeshift structures and narrow access ways, typically complicates firefighting efforts in such environments.
The loss of homes and possessions has left dozens of families displaced, adding to the humanitarian concerns in the aftermath of the tragedy. Local authorities are now faced with the challenge of providing emergency assistance to the affected residents who have lost their dwellings and belongings in this catastrophic event.
The cause of this fire has not been reported so far. It is hoped that the victims will receive adequate support soon.
How do you think the victims of this tragic fire can be helped? Let us know in the comments section below!
Cover Image Credits: @MuddassirHafee3 and @dcganderbal/X (Formerly, Twitter)
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