A massive fire broke out at a chemical storage unit in Kolkata's congested Chitpur area on Sunday, prompting the deployment of 12 fire engines (Screengrabs).Days after major blazes were reported at Mirza Ghalib Street and Sealdah, panic gripped residents of northern Kolkata Sunday when a massive fire broke out at a chemical storage unit in the congested Chitpur area. No casualties have been reported so far.According to local sources, the fire broke out suddenly at Nawab Patti No. 11. Thick black smoke and toxic chemical fumes quickly engulfed the crowded neighbourhood, causing severe breathing difficulties for nearby residents.Three fire engines were initially dispatched to the spot. However, as the flames intensified, seven more were brought in, followed by two more, bringing the total number of fire tenders deployed to 12.Firefighters faced a challenging task containing the blaze due to the vast quantity of highly flammable chemicals stored inside the warehouse, which continuously emitted dense, toxic smoke. Fire brigade personnel noted that a major tragedy was averted because the unit was closed for the weekend, so no workers were inside.The heat and flames also damaged several adjoining factories before the situation was brought under control. Local police rushed to the scene and cordoned off the immediate area to prevent bystanders from inhaling the toxic fumes.“There is a huge quantity of chemicals stored inside that is emitting dangerous fumes, making it a challenging task for firefighters. However, the situation is completely under control now,” a fire department official said.The exact cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, though officials have not ruled out a short circuit as a preliminary possibility. Authorities are investigating whether safety norms were flouted at the facility.Story continues below this adLocal BJP leader Ritesh Tiwari visited the site to inspect the relief operations. “Due to the heavy smoke, it was difficult for the firefighters to operate initially, but everything is under control now. I want to assure everyone that there is no need to panic,” he told reporters.Describing the incident, a local resident said, “I was sitting outside when I smelt something burning. Suddenly, I saw thick smoke billowing out of a chimney and ran to alert others. Fortunately, because it was a Sunday, the godown and adjacent factories were empty.”Tanusree Bose is a dedicated journalist reporting for The Indian Express from Kolkata. Her work focuses sharply on the complex administrative, political, and judicial developments across West Bengal, establishing her as an authoritative voice in regional news coverage. Experience Current Role: Reports for the prestigious national daily, The Indian Express, providing her content with a high level of Trustworthiness. Geographical Expertise: Provides focused, in-depth coverage of West Bengal, demonstrating an intimate knowledge of the state's news and political nuances. Core Authority: Her reporting portfolio highlights deep Expertise in crucial, often sensitive, beats, including: State Politics and Governance: Covering the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), opposition strategies (BJP), and internal political controversies. Judicial and Administrative Affairs: Closely monitoring key developments in the Calcutta High Court, particularly major rulings related to employment, education, and social issues. Education Sector: Extensive reporting on significant controversies, such as teacher recruitment irregularities and administrative actions by the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE). Social & Electoral Issues: Covering public events, community tensions (e.g., religious/political gatherings), and election-related processes like the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll. Tanusree Bose's consistent output and focus on high-stakes regional issues for a trusted media outlet underscore her status as a reliable and authoritative source for news from West Bengal. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on InstagramTags:fireKolkata