A major fire broke out at a car showroom and service centre in Bankra, near Jessore Road and close to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, in the early hours of Monday, August 24. The blaze rapidly spread across the premises, engulfing vehicles parked inside and nearby. Firefighters rushed to the spot after the fire was reported and deployed eight fire engines to contain the flames. At least 22 new cars were completely gutted, while several others were damaged. No casualties were reported.
Fire officials said the operation was complicated by the narrow access to the premises and the intensity of the blaze. Cooling operations continued after the flames were brought under control, with firefighters checking for hidden pockets of fire. A preliminary assessment suggested that a short circuit could have triggered the incident, although the exact cause remains under investigation. The incident has once again raised concerns over fire-safety arrangements at commercial establishments in the Kolkata region.
