Massive Fire Engulfs Shops in Kolkata’s Ezra Street, Destroys 300 Shops

A devastating fire erupted early Saturday on Ezra Street in Kolkata, destroying nearly 300 shops and damaging several surrounding buildings in one of the city’s most congested commercial areas. The blaze reportedly began after a blast triggered by a suspected short circuit.

Authorities confirmed that there were no casualties, thanks to the swift evacuation of residents in nearby buildings. “We had evacuated all the buildings. So no casualties,” said Indira Mukherjee, Deputy Commissioner of Police for Kolkata Central.

Fire officials deployed 25 fire engines to battle the inferno, which spread rapidly due to large quantities of combustible materials in the area. Many of the affected structures housed electrical goods, wooden plywood, and storage units, intensifying the fire and allowing it to move quickly through the narrow lanes.

Emergency responders continue efforts to fully extinguish the flames as investigations into the exact cause of the blast and resulting fire remain ongoing.