In a concerning incident, a fire broke out at a popular shopping mall in Kolkata on Tuesday afternoon, causing widespread panic and disrupting normal operations. The blaze, which started around 12:15 pm, originated at a bookstore on the mall’s third floor and quickly spread to the adjoining food court area.
Authorities say that several glass panes of the mall had to be broken to allow the thick smoke engulfing the premises to dissipate. Firefighters were compelled to wear oxygen masks as they battled the flames, while hydraulic ladders were also deployed.
“Nobody has been injured in the incident. Firefighters did an excellent job. We will send a notice to the shopping mall authorities, and in case any lapse is found on their part, necessary action will be taken,” stated Sujit Bose, the state’s Fire Minister, who rushed to the site.
The entire area was shrouded in thick smoke, leading to the regulation of traffic movement in front of the mall. Senior police officers were also present at the spot to oversee the situation.
Fortunately, normal vehicular movement was restored on Rajdanga Main Road as the firefighters successfully contained the blaze. However, the incident has raised concerns about the safety measures at the popular shopping destination.
Authorities have assured a thorough investigation into the matter to determine the cause of the fire and any potential lapses in the mall’s fire safety protocols. The public has been urged to remain vigilant and cooperate with authorities to ensure such incidents do not recur.
