February 13, 2024

Fire breaks out at Belgachhia, India dairy administrative building, production unaffected

A fire erupted at the central dairy administrative building in Belgachhia, Kolkata district, India resulting in a three-hour-long blaze that required the efforts of 12 fire engines to extinguish, The Times of India reported.

The affected building houses operations for the state-run Banglar Dairy, a key milk production unit.

While a portion of the three-story structure was damaged, state officials confirmed that milk production, packaging, and supply remained unaffected. Despite the destruction, there will be no disruption in the supply and distribution of milk from the unit, assured a senior official. The cause of the fire and the extent of damage are yet to be determined, and fortunately, there were no reported injuries.

According to witnesses, the fire originated around 4pm in the ground-floor warehouse, filled with inflammable materials such as discarded milk pouches and plastic crates. The swift spread of the flames necessitated a significant response from firefighting teams, with 12 fire engines dispatched to the scene.

Only a few staff members were present during the incident, as many had left to participate in a protest on Red Road. Head clerk Sutirtha Roy emphasised the potential severity of the situation had more employees been present, underscoring the need for a thorough investigation into the fire's cause.

Despite the intensity of the blaze, witnesses reported that all 30 individuals working on the second floor managed to evacuate safely. The timely response of firefighters from multiple directions helped contain the fire, minimising further damage, said Sujit Bose, Minister, Fire and Emergency Services, Government of West Bengal.

-      The Times of India