Fire breaks out in garment godown, jute mill in Howrah; no casualties

A fire broke out at a garments godown on Foreshore road in Howrah on Thursday morning triggering panic among the local residents.

The workers at the godown spotted smoke billowing out of some portions and informed the matter to the fire brigade. Around 15 fire tenders were pressed into action to douse the flame. Firefighters faced problems to douse the flame. State Fire Minister Sovan Chatterjee accompanied by Arup Roy, local MLA and state minister rushed to the spot and supervised the situation.

“The firemen have been able to restrict the fire within a certain area. There is no problem of water. They were facing difficulties due to collapse of walls inside the godown. The situation was soon brought under control as the firefighters swung into action on a war footing. A probe has been initiated,” Chatterjee told media.

The area is densely populated and other factories are situated in the nearby area. Hence the firemen tried to restrict the fire so that it does not spread to other places. The area was soon covered with the thick smoke.

As there were inflammable materials stored inside the godown, the fire soon spread. It was also a difficult time for the fire fighters to reach to the source of the fire as thick smoke was emanating from the spot.

The fire fighters however managed to arrest the fire within a certain limit and prevented any major accident in the congested area.

It took around three hours to bring the situation under control.

According to the preliminary investigation the fire officials suspect that a short circuit might have led to the incident. There were no adequate fire safety measures in the godown, suspect the fire officials.

Fire officials are, however, looking into the fact if the godown had proper licenses. Police are interrogating some people in this connection so far. Police and fire brigade departments are yet to ascertain the exact cause of the fire and the extent of the damage.

Another incident of fire was reported at a jute factory in Howrah. The fire was soon brought under control by the fire engines. The extent and the cause of the damage is yet to be ascertained. A probe was initiated.