Kolkata, 16 April (H.S.) : A soldier of the Border Security Force lost his life after a major fire broke out at a BSF camp in Hingalganj in North 24 Parganas district on Thursday morning, officials said.

The incident occurred at a camp of the 77th Battalion located in the Bada Bankra area under Hingalganj police station limits in the Basirhat subdivision. The fire reportedly started in a room where fuel for boats used in riverine patrolling was stored.

According to initial reports, the blaze is suspected to have been caused by a short circuit. At the time of the incident, the deceased जवान, identified as Ram Singh, was inside the room and could not escape, leading to his death.

Within minutes, thick black smoke engulfed the camp and nearby areas, triggering panic among local residents. People in the vicinity attempted to control the fire using buckets of water, but the flames had already spread significantly.

Fire tenders were rushed to the spot, and additional units were later deployed from nearby areas to assist in dousing the blaze. Police personnel also reached the site and initiated rescue and relief operations.

After the fire was brought under control, a search operation led to the recovery of Ram Singh’s body from inside the affected room.

The incident has cast a pall of gloom over the area, and further investigation is underway to ascertain the exact cause of the fire.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh