25 huts reduced to ashes in massive daytime fire in Kolkata's Newtown Mathpara

Kolkata. A series of sudden and intense cylinder blasts triggered a massive fire in the slum area of Mathpara, adjacent to City Center 2 in Newtown, during the afternoon. Within moments, the flames spread to dozens of homes, causing panic in the area. Local residents began firefighting efforts at their own level and immediately informed the fire department. After intense efforts, the fire was brought under control. Around 25 huts were reduced to ashes. However, no casualties have been reported. Police officials from Baguiati police station and Eco Park police station, along with Rajarhat Newtown MLA Pijush Kanjilal, reached the spot. Local residents expressed their anger before the MLA, stating that fires have broken out in this slum multiple times before. They fear that fires in such residential areas could also affect nearby buildings and houses. The MLA largely agreed with the complaints of the locals and stated that discussions to evacuate this slum area have been ongoing for a long time, but no one listens. Most of the houses here are made of tin, and none of the residents living in these huts are locals of the area. Locals claim that around 150 to 200 people live in the huts. However, whether the cause of the fire was a short circuit or cooking gas is currently being investigated.