Major fire in north Bengal market, 150 shops gutted
A major fire broke out at a market in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri district in the early hours of Friday, gutting at least 150 shops. The flames were spotted around 3 am at the Dhupguri market by a shopkeeper, officials said. No one was injured in the incident and the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, officials informed.
Absence of water body delayed operations
Firefighting operations could not begin for some time as there were no water bodies nearby. By the time water was arranged from the Kumlai nullah, several shops were gutted. "It was very difficult to get water to fight the fire as there are no water bodies near the market," District Fire Officer Pradip Sarkar informed. The blaze was brought under control around 6 am.
State government promises to help the shopkeepers
North Bengal Development Minister Rabindranath Ghosh visited the area and spoke to officials. "I have come here on the instructions of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee," Ghosh said. He further informed, "The state government will extend all possible help to the shopkeepers at this time of crisis," adding that "the gutted shops will be reconstructed."
Environmentalists voice their concerns
Meanwhile, environmentalists have voiced how certain malpractices cause the water crisis. They have alleged that rampant filling up of water bodies in the area lead to the crisis. "Water bodies have been filled up in the area, causing the water crisis at the time of need, as a result of which so many shops were gutted," they said.
