2500 shops, several houses gutted in Barabazar fire

Kolkata, Jan 12 (UNI) Nearly 2500 shops and several buildings were gutted in a major fire that broke in the city's biggest wholesale market early today, fire brigade sources said.

Over three dozen fire-tenders were trying to douse the flames that started in a house on Jamnalal Bajaj Street at about 0200 hrs, the sources said.

Local people said shortage of water supply from the nearby Mullickghat pumping station to the area due to power cut compounded the problem for firefighters.

Disaster management team and RAF have been deployed in the area.

Senior police officials were supervising the fire fighting and rescue operations.

The ravaging fire is reported to have spread to adjoining areas, sources added.

The reason behind the fire is still not known and there are no reports of casualty so far.

UNI AS SP MSJ SS1015