kolkata

IIE DIGITAL DESK : The massive fire ripped through the bustling Khidirpur market area of Kolkata in the early hours of Monday, reducing more than 1,000 shops to ashes and leaving hundreds of traders devastated. The inferno, which broke out around 2:30 a.m., quickly spread through the congested lanes of the market, engulfing wooden structures, tarpaulin sheds, and stockpiled goods, making it one of the most destructive fire incidents in the city in recent memory.

According to fire department officials, the blaze began in the central portion of the market — believed to be the result of an electrical short circuit — and rapidly spread due to the presence of highly flammable materials, including clothing, plastic items, and cardboard packaging. As the fire intensified, flames shot up several meters high, and thick plumes of black smoke blanketed the surrounding areas.

Nearly 30 fire tenders were deployed to control the fire, and over 150 firefighters worked through the night in shifts to bring the situation under control. It took over seven hours before the flames were finally doused by late morning. Fire department officials reported that while no lives were lost, several fire personnel sustained minor injuries during the operation.

Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim visited the site at daybreak, expressing deep concern and pledging support for the affected traders. "This is a massive loss for the small shopkeepers who have spent their lives building their businesses here. The city will stand with them, and immediate steps will be taken to assess the damage and provide relief," Hakim said.

The Khidirpur market, a decades-old commercial hub in the southwestern part of Kolkata, is known for its wholesale and retail shops dealing in garments, household goods, and local handicrafts. It serves not only city residents but also customers from surrounding districts. Monday's fire has thrown hundreds of livelihoods into uncertainty, with traders returning to the charred remains of their shops and stock worth crores of rupees completely destroyed.

Shop owners, many in tears, described how their life savings were wiped out in a matter of hours. “I got a call at 3 a.m. and rushed here, but by the time I arrived, everything was gone. My shop had cloth worth over ₹10 lakh, and now nothing remains,” said Abdul Rahman, who had been running his store in the market for over 15 years.

Several shopkeepers blamed poor infrastructure, lack of fire safety measures, and encroachments for the disaster. Many claimed that despite previous warnings and incidents, no fire safety audits or major improvements had been undertaken by the local authorities. Narrow lanes and haphazard construction made firefighting efforts extremely difficult.

The West Bengal government has ordered a detailed inquiry into the incident. State Fire Minister Sujit Bose stated that a forensic team would be deployed to determine the exact cause of the blaze and assess whether negligence or illegal wiring contributed to the rapid spread. “There will be accountability. We will not allow such incidents to be repeated,” Bose assured.

Relief camps have been set up nearby for the affected families. The Kolkata Municipal Corporation has initiated a registration process to record the details of those impacted, and a compensation and rehabilitation package is expected to be announced soon.

As the ashes settle over Khidirpur, the heart of the local economy lies in ruins. The road to recovery will be long and uncertain for the thousands who depended on this vibrant market. For now, all that remains are memories of a once-thriving commercial lifeline turned to cinders overnight.