Chem factory in Barasat catches fire, 80 families moved to safety
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Kolkata: A massive fire broke out at a warehouse complex storing paints and diapers in Barasat's Bamunmora on Saturday evening, forcing 80 families to evacuate and causing significant disruption to local traffic.
The blaze, which began around 7.30 pm, quickly spread to multiple warehouses and four nearby houses in the densely populated area. Initial firefighting efforts were hampered by severe traffic congestion on Barasat-Taki Road, delaying the arrival of additional fire engines to the scene.
As many as 20 fire tenders were pressed into service to douse the flames, which continued to rage till late Saturday night. Fire brigade officials said they were trying to enter the premises to ascertain whether any worker was trapped.
Locals claimed several employees were present in the building when the fire broke out. "We have never seen a fire of this magnitude in this area before," said Nizamul Kabir, a local resident.
The warehouse complex, spread across several bighas of land, has 8 to 10 large facilities enclosed by concrete walls.
Witnesses said they heard loud explosions, probably caused by inflammable materials, including chemicals and batteries stored inside.
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Local authorities, including the Barasat SDPO and additional SP, rushed to the scene to coordinate emergency response efforts. Trinamool MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar also visited the site and discussed sourcing of water from nearby areas to combat the flames. A large contingent of police, including the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and Combat Force, cordoned off the area under the supervision of senior Barasat district police officers.
The exact extent of damage and number of casualties could not be confirmed till late night. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Traffic on the busy Taki Road came to a standstill for several hours due to the fire and subsequent emergency response. Residents living near the industrial complex were safely evacuated as a precautionary measure.
Locals joined fire brigade in efforts to check the flames. A section of them staged protest, alleging that the factory was operating illegally.
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