According to reports, the fire broke out at the godown on Maharshi Devendra Road around 1.30 am Saturday. Twenty fire tenders were pressed into action to control the fire. Although no one was killed in the incident, several nearby houses were reportedly damaged. Seventeen families living in the vicinity of the site were also affected.

It was not clear yet how the fire started. But locals claimed they heard multiple explosions, possibly from gas cylinders kept at the godown.

Fire Minister Sujit Bose reached the spot on hearing the news of the fire. State Women and Child Welfare Minister and local MLA Shashi Panja, too, visited the accident spot Saturday morning. She said temporary accommodation would be arranged for the affected people in the local community hall.

It is believed that the fire spread quickly due to the presence of combustible material. Besides, the breeze from the Ganga made it difficult to quell the fire.