A massive fire engulfed a slum in the Topsia area of eastern Kolkata on Friday, completely destroying several shanties and leaving numerous families displaced. While no casualties have been reported, the fire posed significant challenges for firefighting teams attempting to control the blaze.
The fire broke out in the densely packed settlement, and fire officers quickly arrived on the scene with nine fire tenders. However, they faced considerable difficulties in containing the fire due to narrow lanes, high wind speeds, and the proximity of highly flammable materials.
“Our main priority is to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby areas,” said a senior fire officer. “But the narrow, cramped lanes leading to the slum are complicating our efforts. We are also working to ensure that no one remains trapped inside the affected areas.”
The officer explained that the fire spread rapidly due to the combination of strong winds and the presence of flammable materials in the slum. The situation worsened when LPG cylinders stored in several shanties exploded, intensifying the fire and making it harder to control.
Local residents, who were the first to respond to the emergency, attempted to extinguish the flames using water from a nearby pond. However, they expressed frustration over the delay in the arrival of fire tenders, despite notifying the nearest fire station immediately.
Initially, only five fire tenders were dispatched, but as the flames quickly spread, four more fire tenders joined the operation. The firefighting efforts were eventually able to bring the fire under control, though by then much of the slum had been destroyed.
In response to the crisis, the state administration has promised to provide temporary shelter to the displaced families and later offer compensation. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of overcrowded settlements in the city, highlighting the challenges faced by both residents and emergency services in such conditions.
