Fire breaks out near B.P. Poddar Hospital in New Alipore

A major fire broke out on Friday evening in the New Alipore slum, located under the Durgapur Bridge, leading to the destruction of several huts. The fire reportedly began around Saturday evening, though the exact cause is still under investigation. The rapid spread of the flames was facilitated by the presence of highly flammable materials in the densely packed slum, prompting immediate firefighting efforts.

At the site, 12 fire engines were deployed by the fire department to tackle the blaze. Firefighters worked relentlessly to control the fire, which spread quickly across the area, engulfing multiple huts. According to reports, explosions were heard during the incident, suspected to be from gas cylinders inside the huts. The blasts increased the intensity of the fire, though no casualties have been reported so far.

In addition to the fire engines, jawans from the New Alipore military camp arrived with water tanks to assist in the firefighting operations. The firefighting efforts were further complicated by thick smoke, which reduced visibility and made it more difficult to contain the flames. Despite the challenges, the fire department was able to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby multi-story buildings.

The fire also caused significant traffic disruptions, as the Durgapur Bridge was temporarily closed to allow emergency vehicles access to the site. This led to heavy congestion in the New Alipore area, especially during rush hour. Local authorities are monitoring the situation closely and assessing the damage caused by the fire.

This incident follows a similar fire in the Tapsia slum on Friday, where over a hundred huts were destroyed. Both incidents have raised concerns about the frequency of fires in slum areas, with local authorities planning an investigation into the causes and exploring measures to improve fire safety in such communities.