Kolkata, 9 August (H.S.): Panic gripped Park Street on Friday night after a blaze erupted at a popular restaurant around 9:50 p.m. Thick black smoke quickly engulfed the premises and surrounding area. Three fire tenders rushed to the spot and swiftly launched rescue and firefighting operations. Thanks to the prompt response of the fire brigade, the flames were brought under control within about an hour and a half. No casualties have been reported. Preliminary investigation suggests that a short circuit may have triggered the fire.

According to fire department officials, all patrons inside the restaurant were safely evacuated immediately after the fire broke out. The heavy smoke also caused alarm in nearby areas, but timely intervention prevented further escalation.

The incident comes just months after similar fire emergencies in Kolkata. In June this year, a blaze at a hotel on Sarat Bose Road in south Kolkata trapped at least 50 people before five fire tenders conducted a successful rescue. In April, a massive fire at a hotel in Madan Mohan Machuabazar Phalpatty in Burrabazar claimed 15 lives. In that case, 10 fire engines battled the flames for nearly eight hours, using a hydraulic ladder to rescue 25 people.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh