Kolkata, Nov. 9 -- Panic gripped Chorbagan in Girish Park on Sunday night after a fire broke out at the Chorbagan Sarbojonin Durga Puja pandal, which has remained standing for investigation following the stampede that claimed 19 lives. No casualties or injuries were reported.
Local residents spotted the flames and immediately stepped in to extinguish the fire. The situation was brought under control shortly afterwards. However, the incident raised concerns among residents, who said a major disaster could have occurred had the flames spread to the large pandal.
The fire comes weeks after the tragic stampede on Saptami at the same venue, in which 19 people died. It was alleged that an announcement over the microphone claiming that the pandal was collapsing had triggered panic and led to the stampede.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.