A major fire, accompanied by a series of loud explosions, engulfed an oxygen storage godown in the eastern part of Kolkata on Thursday, sending plumes of thick black smoke into the sky and causing panic in the neighbourhood.
Scene of Chaos in Tangra
The incident occurred at a commercial facility located on Christopher Road in the Tangra area, a known industrial belt. According to initial reports, the fire started in the godown used for storing numerous oxygen cylinders. The intensity of the blaze led to multiple explosions as the cylinders inside began to detonate one after another.
Local residents reported hearing successive loud blasts that rattled windows and shook buildings in the vicinity. The fire quickly spread, creating a massive inferno that was visible from a considerable distance. The sight of the towering flames and the sound of explosions triggered alarm, with people rushing out of their homes and workplaces.
Firefighting Operation Underway
Fire department officials stated that they received the emergency call around midday. Multiple fire tenders were immediately rushed to the spot from nearby stations to combat the fierce flames.
Firefighters are facing significant challenges due to the continued risk of further cylinder explosions, which makes it dangerous to approach the core of the fire. Their strategy involves cooling the surrounding area and preventing the fire from spreading to adjacent properties. As of the latest updates, the firefighting operation is still actively ongoing.
Casualties and Cause
Authorities have confirmed that, fortunately, there have been no reports of fatalities or injuries so far. The quick alert and the location of the godown in an industrial area may have prevented civilian casualties.
The exact cause of the initial fire is yet to be determined. An investigation will be launched once the flames are fully doused to ascertain what triggered the blaze in the oxygen storage unit. Officials will examine whether it was an electrical short circuit, a human error, or a fault in the storage conditions that led to the disaster.
This incident has raised serious concerns about the safety protocols and storage norms for industrial gases, especially oxygen, in densely populated urban areas like Kolkata. It highlights the potential risk such facilities pose if safety regulations are not strictly adhered to.
