123 Kolkata: A major fire broke out at the bustling Poddar Court commercial complexat Rabindra Sarani in central Kolkata on Wednesday afternoon, prompting an immediate evacuation of around 250 office employees, workers, and shopkeepers across all its four floors. No casualties were reported in the incident.The blaze, which started around 12.05 pm in an electronics store on the ground floor close to Gate 3 (the main gate), quickly spread through the building, sending thick plumes of smoke into the air. Seven fire engines were deployed to combat the flames in the office district, which houses numerous businesses and employs hundreds of people.You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata"We noticed smoke coming from one of the electronics shops and immediately alerted authorities," said Rajesh Kumar, a local shop owner. "The situation could have been much worse if it wasn't for the quick response of emergency services."The fire brigade and DMG teams used smoke exhaust pipes to drain out the intense smoke amidst fears of it travelling upwards like Mechhua a few days earlier. The fire emergency equipment also worked, helping the fire brigade to control the fire in around two hours. No one was found trapped inside.Fire officials suspect a short circuit in an air conditioning unit may have triggered the fire. "Initial investigations point to an electrical malfunction, but a detailed investigation will follow once the situation is fully under control," said a fire department officer. "The evacuation was completed within minutes," said a senior cop, adding that traffic in front of the building was not affected much. Kolkata: A major fire broke out at the bustling Poddar Court commercial complexat Rabindra Sarani in central Kolkata on Wednesday afternoon, prompting an immediate evacuation of around 250 office employees, workers, and shopkeepers across all its four floors. No casualties were reported in the incident.The blaze, which started around 12.05 pm in an electronics store on the ground floor close to Gate 3 (the main gate), quickly spread through the building, sending thick plumes of smoke into the air. Seven fire engines were deployed to combat the flames in the office district, which houses numerous businesses and employs hundreds of people."We noticed smoke coming from one of the electronics shops and immediately alerted authorities," said Rajesh Kumar, a local shop owner. "The situation could have been much worse if it wasn't for the quick response of emergency services."The fire brigade and DMG teams used smoke exhaust pipes to drain out the intense smoke amidst fears of it travelling upwards like Mechhua a few days earlier. The fire emergency equipment also worked, helping the fire brigade to control the fire in around two hours. No one was found trapped inside.Fire officials suspect a short circuit in an air conditioning unit may have triggered the fire. "Initial investigations point to an electrical malfunction, but a detailed investigation will follow once the situation is fully under control," said a fire department officer. "The evacuation was completed within minutes," said a senior cop, adding that traffic in front of the building was not affected much.