2013 Kolkata market fire

The 2013 Kolkata market fire was a catastrophic blaze that engulfed the crowded Maharaja Market in the bustling city of Kolkata, India, on February 3, 2013. The fire erupted around 2:00 AM and rapidly spread through the multi-storey market structure, leading to the destruction of a significant portion of the premises. It was attributed to a combination of electrical faults and inadequate fire safety measures prevalent in the market. The incident resulted in the tragic loss of at least 19 lives, along with numerous injuries, and prompted widespread criticism regarding fire safety regulations in commercial establishments. Emergency responders faced challenges in controlling the blaze due to narrow lanes and the market's congestion. The tragedy highlighted urgent calls for stringent enforcement of fire codes and improved safety standards in urban markets across India.