A devastating fire tore through a significant portion of the historic woollens market at Wellington Square in central Kolkata on Thursday afternoon, reducing at least 50 stalls to ashes and dealing a severe blow to traders who have operated there for generations.
Chronology of a Disaster
The blaze erupted around 4:40 PM on Thursday, swiftly engulfing the tightly packed stalls. Fortunately, no one was inside the market square when the fire started, preventing potential casualties. Upon receiving alerts, fire services rushed to the scene and deployed four fire tenders to battle the intense flames. After a two-hour effort, firefighters managed to fully douse the fire by approximately 6:40 PM.
Heartbreak for a Historic Trading Community
The market is not just a commercial hub but a decades-old institution for traders from diverse regions. For nearly half a century, merchants from Bhutan, Nepal, Darjeeling, Shimla, and other areas have been selling winter garments here. This season was reportedly going well for business, making the sudden loss even more painful. Preliminary estimates suggest traders may have collectively incurred a loss running into several lakhs of rupees.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. While police sources indicated a prima facie possibility of the fire starting from garbage, officials from the fire brigade stated that the exact cause is yet to be ascertained. A formal probe has been initiated by the police.
Aftermath and Uncertainty
The immediate aftermath of the fire saw significant disruption in the area. Traffic was halted on Nirmal Chunder Street for some time to facilitate firefighting operations, and movement on Lenin Sarani near Wellington crossing also slowed down considerably.
For the traders, the emotional and financial toll is immense. Facing the charred remains of their livelihoods, they are left deeply upset and uncertain about the future. With the peak winter season underway, there is serious doubt about their ability to resume business anytime soon, casting a shadow over their income for the crucial sales period.
The incident highlights the vulnerability of such traditional marketplaces to fire hazards and the profound impact on small-scale traders who form the backbone of the local economy.
