Major fire at Kolkata’s Ezra Street, 300 shops gutted, 20 fire engines pressed into action

A major fire in Kolkata's Ezra Street gutted around 300 shops early Saturday, prompting swift evacuation and 20 fire engines to control the blaze. Authorities cite a short circuit as the cause, while locals criticize long-standing safety issues.

Around 300 shops were gutted after a major fire broke out early on Saturday in Kolkata’s Ezra Street. According to fire officials, there are casualties as all those staying in the adjoining buildings have been evacuated to safety.

“We had evacuated all the buildings. So no casualties,” Indira Mukherjee, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Kolkata Central, told reporters.