A day later, fire at Kolkata’s Bagree Market yet to be contained

Over twenty-four hours later, the fire that began at Kolkata’s Bagree market continues to rage. About 60 firefighters have been pressed into service as the blaze spread to other parts of the market, located in congested Canning Street. (Express photo by Partha Paul)

READ | 24 hours on, fire still raging at Kolkata’s Bagree Market

No casualty has been reported, but the operation has left two firefighters injured. (Express photo by Partha Paul)

READ | 24 hours on, fire still raging at Kolkata’s Bagree Market

Poor fire safety measures and inflammable material stashed in the five-storey building posed a serious hindrance while dousing the fire. (Express photo by Partha Paul)

READ | 24 hours on, fire still raging at Kolkata’s Bagree Market

A senior police officer, who visited the area, said the situation has improved Monday and firemen are still working to tame the flames. It may take several hours more to fight the fire, a senior official of the fire department told PTI.(Express photo by Partha Paul)

READ | 24 hours on, fire still raging at Kolkata’s Bagree Market

Goods estimated to be worth crores turned to ash and several shops in the market — considered one of the country’s largest wholesale hubs — were gutted, said police sources. (Express photo by Partha Paul)

READ | 24 hours on, fire still raging at Kolkata’s Bagree Market

According to the police, the fire broke out at around 2.30 am on the first floor of the building, and quickly spread to the floors above.(Express photo by Shashi Ghosh)

READ | 24 hours on, fire still raging at Kolkata’s Bagree Market

As many as 30 fire tenders were rushed to the spot within half an hour, but the narrow lanes and mesh of overhead wires made it a difficult operation. The area was also enveloped in thick, black smoke. (Express photo by Shashi Ghosh)

READ | 24 hours on, fire still raging at Kolkata’s Bagree Market

No one was present in the building when the fire broke out, and a few security guards who lived on the top floor were reported to have escaped in time. Disaster management and civil defence teams were also pressed into action. (Express photo by Shashi Ghosh)

READ | 24 hours on, fire still raging at Kolkata’s Bagree Market