Newspaper Report: Devastating Fire in City Market Complex | Class 10

Siliguri, October 15: A massive inferno broke out late last night at the crowded Bidhan Market wholesale complex, gutting more than forty shops and destroying goods worth several crores of rupees.

According to local eyewitnesses, thick black smoke and leaping flames were first spotted around 11:30 PM from a garment godown, allegedly caused by an electrical short circuit. The situation turned catastrophic when two commercial LPG cylinders exploded in quick succession, triggering panic in the neighborhood. Eight fire engines rushed from nearby stations and fought tirelessly for nearly five hours to bring the raging flames under control. Fortunately, as the market was closed for the night, no loss of human life was reported, though firemen suffered minor burns during the dousing operations. The district magistrate visited the spot this morning and announced that an administrative committee had been constituted to probe the exact cause of the fire and review fire safety arrangements in the market area.