Massive Fire in New Alipore Slum Leaves Property Damaged, Residents Relieved No Casualties

A massive fire erupted in a slum cluster located in New Alipore, Kolkata, on Saturday evening, causing significant concern for local residents. Fortunately, there have been no reported casualties, according to officials from the Fire Service. The blaze, which broke out around 6:45 PM under the Durgapur Bridge, involved approximately 100 shanties and was quickly addressed by firefighting teams. Abhijit Pandey, the Director of Fire Service, reported that the fire has been brought under control and assured that there is no risk of further spread. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Sixteen fire tenders were deployed to the scene to manage the situation and assist in rescue operations. Residents expressed their relief at the timely response from the fire brigade, with one local stating that had they not arrived promptly, lives might have been lost. Another resident emphasized the severity of the blaze, describing it as a "massive fire" and acknowledging the efforts of the police, administration, and even the Army in managing the incident. While no lives were lost, there has been some property damage, and officials are in the process of assessing the extent of the destruction. The slum area, reportedly established on railway land, has raised concerns among locals about the legality of the structures, with some alleging that many of these shanties are "illegal." As authorities continue their investigation and assessment of the situation, residents are left to grapple with the aftermath of the fire and the losses incurred. Further updates are expected as the situation develops and more information becomes available.