KOLKATA: A major fire broke out at a Kolkata Port Trust warehouse on Taratala Road on Saturday. No one was injured and even the nearby shanties were spared but the blaze affected the traffic flow in the area, as extensive diversions were required to facilitate the dousing.
The fire was reported around 10am and the flames spread fast due to the strong winds from the Hooghly and the inflammable objects in the warehouse. Twenty-three fire engines were deployed and though the blaze was largely contained by 7pm, firemen continued to find small pockets of flames. Cooling exercise is expected to continue till next morning. KopT said it was a leased property and the onus lay with them to instal a fire-fighting system.
A large police team arrived and vacated the place to avert any loss of life or injury. “First, ten fire engines arrived, followed by 13 more,” said a port division cop. The West Port police will probe the reason. “Traffic was suspended from Asbestos crossing. We diverted heavy vehicles to Oil Installation Road and then, Sick Lane or Hyde Road,” an officer said.
