Fire at Sealdah railway station food court in Kolkata; no casualties

A fire erupted at a food court near Sealdah railway station in Kolkata on Monday morning, filling the area with dense black smoke during rush hour. Fortunately, there were no casualties or injuries, according to authorities. The fire rapidly engulfed multiple stalls, melting the central air conditioning vents due to its intense heat.

Emergency services, comprising fire department personnel, Kolkata police, and Railway Protection Force (RPF), arrived promptly with three fire tenders to combat the blaze. Upon arrival, firefighters swiftly established a perimeter using guardrails, forcing passengers and taxi drivers to navigate a narrow path to avoid the affected area.

The fire, while not yet fully contained, was subsequently brought under control. The origin of the fire remains under investigation. Initially, firefighters encountered challenges due to the lack of a reliable water supply from the station, necessitating the use of alternative sources. Moreover, the food court's fire suppression system had failed to operate effectively.

As the enclosed food court was made of glass, smoke became trapped inside, requiring firefighters to break the glass panels to ventilate the area. Several personnel in specialized protective gear then ventured into the food court to locate the fire's source. The food plaza, previously constructed by converting a train coach, has extensive false ceiling work, which exacerbated the spread of flames.

Fire department officials are working diligently to prevent the fire from spreading towards the nearby railway hospital. This incident has reignited discussions about the adequacy of fire safety measures, particularly in light of a previous fire that occurred at the same food court just a few months ago.