Archive · 1 Sep 2026
Frying Pan Fire Disrupts Sealdah Station Food Court, No Injuries
A fire started in a food court near Sealdah station.
Officials think hot cooking oil in a frying pan caught fire.
The flames reached the ceiling and caused thick smoke.
Some kitchen workers escaped safely.
No customers were inside at the time.
Firefighters broke the glass panes to let the smoke out.
The fire closed a nearby gate and slowed traffic for about an hour.
Nobody was reported injured, and officials are investigating what happened.
A fire began around 8:50am Monday at Sealdah Food Express near Sealdah station’s south gate.
Officials suspect overheated cooking oil in a frying pan ignited the kitchen’s duct and ceiling insulation.
Kitchen staff escaped, and no diners were present when the fire broke out.
Three fire tenders and disaster management personnel controlled the blaze in about two hours.
The restaurant’s licence was suspended pending an inquiry, while nearby access and traffic were disrupted.
- Who
- Sealdah Food Express, its kitchen staff, railway and fire department officials, and disaster management personnel were involved.
- What
- A fire broke out in the food court, apparently after cooking oil in a frying pan overheated and ignited.
- When
- Monday morning at approximately 8:50am; the fire was brought under control in about two hours.
- Where
- Sealdah Food Express, near the south gate of Sealdah station, Kolkata.
- Why
- Officials suspect overheated cooking oil caused the fire, but a detailed inquiry is underway to establish the exact cause and responsibility.
Fire Department Concerns
Railway Officials’ Response
Water availability
Fire Department Concerns
A fire department officer said the food court’s water facilities were not functioning properly and that the blaze could have been controlled sooner if they had worked.
Railway Officials’ Response
A Sealdah division official said the restaurant had a connection to the station’s water reservoir and that water was supplied from the station hydrant system by manually operating pumps.
Fire protection coverage
Fire Department Concerns
The fire department’s account highlighted operational problems encountered during the response, including heavy smoke that prevented immediate entry.
Railway Officials’ Response
Railway officials said the station’s automatic fire suppression system covered the station premises but not the restaurant, making fire safety the licensee’s responsibility.
Responsibility for the incident
Fire Department Concerns
Fire department comments raised concerns about possible shortcomings in the food court’s water and fire-safety arrangements.
Railway Officials’ Response
Railway officials said an inquiry would determine whether any lapse or negligence by the licensee occurred and promised strict action if established.
- Location
- Sealdah Food Express near Sealdah station’s south gate
- Reported start time
- Around 8:50am Monday
- Suspected cause
- Cooking oil in a frying pan apparently caught fire after overheating
- Fire response
- Three fire tenders and disaster management personnel were deployed
- Control time
- The blaze was brought under control in about two hours
- Casualties
- No injuries, trapped people, or diners were reported
- Administrative action
- The food court’s licence was suspended pending an inquiry