One injured in Kadamtala market fire

A devastating fire broke out at Kadamtala market of Howrah early on Saturday, causing severe damage there.

A shopkeeper, who was sleeping on the floor at his shop, was critically injured. He was rushed to the 

Howrah District Hospital for treatment.

The hospital authority informed, Sunil Pal, the middle aged shopkeeper was moribund, and he has received severe burn injuries in his body.

However, the source of the fire was still not known to the fire brigade. The fire broke out approximately around 5 am and ten fire tenders who went to the spot said pitch dark smoke was coming out from the market.

The fire brigade said, around 100 shops were gutted, but no casualty, except Sunil Pal’s injury was reported. The market is located about 7 km from Howrah Station.

“The locals have helped a lot. They joined handed with the fire brigade. Initially, three fire engines were seen spraying water on the inferno. But later the fire fighters gave a message to the head quarter that at least five more fire tenders were needed to control the situation,” said a local resident who was also the part of the rescue work.

Seven more fire tenders were rushed to the spot after getting the missive from the ground, to douse the flames.

“This market is one of the oldest in Howrah, part of a history of this city, bearing rich tradition. We have many memories with this market, which might reduce to ashes with this fire,” rued senior citizens in the locality.