West Bengal

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Howrah, October 12: The fire broke out at a medicine shop in the Kadamtala Market area under the jurisdiction of Bantra Police Station in Howrah early on Monday, triggering concern among local residents. Thick black smoke was seen billowing from the shop located beneath the Bantra Co-operative Bank, following which the police and fire brigade were alerted.

According to preliminary information, local residents noticed the smoke emerging from the medicine shop during the early morning hours. They immediately raised the alarm and attempted to bring the situation under control before the fire brigade arrived. Police personnel and firefighters reached the spot shortly after receiving the information and initiated efforts to extinguish the blaze.

Firefighters eventually managed to bring the fire under control. However, when the shop's shutter was opened, they discovered that a refrigerator inside the premises was engulfed in flames. The interior of the shop had filled with thick black smoke, making the situation particularly alarming.

Preliminary assessments by fire brigade personnel suggest that a short circuit in the refrigerator could have triggered the fire. However, the exact cause of the incident has not yet been confirmed, and a detailed investigation is underway.

The incident raised concerns about the possibility of substantial damage to the shop and its contents. The extent of the financial loss, however, has not yet been officially established. The authorities are examining the circumstances surrounding the fire to determine how it started and whether any other factors contributed to the incident.

Police and fire brigade officials are investigating the case. Further details are expected to emerge once the investigation progresses and the extent of the damage is assessed.

The early-morning fire at the busy Kadamtala Market locality has once again drawn attention to the risks posed by electrical faults in commercial establishments. While firefighters managed to contain the blaze, the authorities are continuing their investigation to establish the precise cause of the incident and assess the damage caused to the medicine shop.