2 days ago
Fire at Kolkata’s Sealdah station food plaza triggers passenger panic
A fire started at a food stall or food plaza at Kolkata’s Sealdah railway station.
It began on Monday morning when the station was very crowded.
Thick smoke spread across much of the station and frightened many passengers.
Three fire engines came to fight the fire.
Firefighters tried to stop the flames from reaching nearby shops.
They broke doors and glass walls to get inside.
They also removed gas cylinders carefully to keep people safe.
No deaths or injuries had been reported, and officials were still investigating the cause.
A fire broke out around 9:15–9:20 a.m. Monday at a food stall or plaza at Sealdah station.
Thick smoke spread through the crowded station, causing panic among passengers and commuters.
Three fire engines responded, while officials worked to prevent flames from spreading to nearby shops.
Firefighters broke glass walls and wooden doors, entered with oxygen masks, and removed commercial gas cylinders.
The cause remains unknown amid questions about fire-safety systems, water supply, and a possible short circuit.
- Who
- Firefighters, the Railway Protection Force, passengers, commuters, station workers, and food-stall or food-plaza personnel were involved or affected.
- What
- A fire broke out at a food stall or food plaza on the Sealdah station premises.
- Where
- Sealdah railway station in Kolkata, near the South section and taxi stand, according to the reports.
- When
- Monday morning, reported at approximately 9:15–9:20 a.m.
- Why
- The cause had not been established; officials were examining a possible short circuit, equipment failure, and fire-safety concerns.
Reported safety failures
Investigation still pending
Firefighting system
Reported safety failures
A firefighter said the food court’s own firefighting system had not functioned, while officials questioned whether it had minimum safety arrangements.
Investigation still pending
The reports did not establish why the system failed; authorities said they would examine a possible mechanical fault.
Cause of the fire
Reported safety failures
Some people suggested that a short circuit may have started the fire.
Investigation still pending
Fire officials said the exact cause would be known only after an investigation.
Water and safety provisions
Reported safety failures
Officials said proper water supply was unavailable and the incident raised concerns about the plaza’s fire-safety arrangements, especially after an earlier fire there.
Investigation still pending
No official conclusion that a specific safety violation or equipment fault caused the blaze had been reported.
Key facts
- Location
- Food stall or food plaza at or outside Sealdah railway station, Kolkata
- Reported time
- Approximately 9:15–9:20 a.m. on Monday
- Emergency response
- Three fire engines reached the scene
- Crowd conditions
- The station was heavily crowded with passengers heading to offices and workplaces
- Firefighting access
- Firefighters broke glass walls and wooden doors and entered with oxygen masks
- Hazard control
- Commercial gas cylinders were carefully removed, and officials tried to prevent the fire from spreading
- Reported casualties
- No deaths or injuries had been reported in one account
- Safety concerns
- Reports cited a possibly nonfunctioning firefighting system, inadequate water supply, and an earlier fire at the same food court
Quotes
Fire services department official
Official present at the Sealdah station fire who described the smoke, passenger panic, and emergency response.
“The smoke engulfed almost the entire station premises instantly. The passengers started panicking and shouting. The fire services department was informed. As soon as the information was received, three fire engines immediately reached the spot. We expect to get the fire under control soon.”
thehansindia.com
“However, the matter could have been serious considering that there are several other food stalls and shops with inflammable items adjacent to the food stall where the fire broke out. So, our first target was to prevent the spreading of fire, which we successfully did.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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