Fire Breaks Out Inside Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata
A fire broke out inside Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport on Wednesday evening, causing panic among passengers and staff. The fire was quickly brought under control by the airport authorities and fire brigade personnel, and no casualties or injuries were reported. Here are some key facts about the incident:
How did the fire start?
The fire started at around 9:10 pm in the D Portal area of the departure lounge, where passengers get their boarding passes and go through security checks. According to some eyewitnesses, sparks were seen coming out of a check-in counter, followed by flames and smoke. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but some sources have suggested that it could be due to a short circuit or an electrical malfunction.
How was the fire contained?
As soon as the fire was detected, the airport authorities activated the emergency response system and alerted the fire brigade. Three fire tenders reached the spot within minutes and started dousing the flames with water and foam. The airport staff also used fire extinguishers and hoses to prevent the fire from spreading. The fire was fully extinguished by 9:40 pm, according to the airport authorities.
What was the impact of the fire?
The fire created a lot of chaos and confusion among the passengers and staff, who were evacuated from the area as a precautionary measure. Some passengers said that they heard loud noises and saw thick smoke coming out of the check-in area. Some also said that they felt suffocated and scared by the situation. The check-in process was suspended for about an hour due to the presence of smoke in the area, which affected some flights. However, normal operations resumed by 10:25 pm, after the smoke cleared and the area was sanitized.
#Breaking | Fire breaks out inside Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International (Kolkata) Airport. pic.twitter.com/xl2gMS09X4
— DD News (@DDNewslive) June 14, 2023
What are the authorities saying?
The airport authorities have assured that there was no major damage to the airport infrastructure or equipment due to the fire, and that all safety protocols were followed during the incident. They have also thanked the fire brigade personnel and the airport staff for their swift and efficient action in containing the fire. They have also apologized to the passengers for any inconvenience caused by the incident.
Union Minister for Civil Aviation and Steel, Jyotiraditya M Scindia, tweeted, “An unfortunate but minor fire broke out at the Kolkata airport near a check-in counter. In touch with the airport director – the situation is under control. All passengers and staff have been evacuated from the area. Fortunately, everyone is safe and no injuries have been reported. The check-in process resumed at 22:25 hrs. The cause of the fire will be ascertained at the earliest.”
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also expressed her concern over the incident and said that she was relieved that no one was hurt. She also praised the airport authorities and the fire brigade for their prompt response.
What are the experts saying?
Experts have said that such incidents are rare but not unheard of at airports, where there are many electrical devices and wires that can cause sparks or short circuits. They have also said that airports need to have regular maintenance and inspection of their electrical systems and equipment, as well as adequate fire safety measures and training for their staff.
They have also said that passengers should follow the instructions of the airport authorities and security personnel in case of any emergency situation, and not panic or create a stampede.
