Sunday evening turned nightmarish for the traders of Kursela Haat in Katihar when a massive fire outbreak razed more than 100 shops to the ground. Situated in the Kursela thana area off NH-31, the market was alive with activity until the sudden blaze triggered mass panic and widespread destruction.
Flames shot up fiercely, propelled by high winds that carried embers from shop to shop in seconds. Onlookers recounted how the fire seemed to erupt from nowhere, possibly from an electrical fault, overwhelming initial attempts by locals to extinguish it. Fire brigade vehicles arrived promptly, reinforced by teams from neighboring regions, yet the battle against the blaze stretched into the late hours.
The financial blow is immense, with goods and structures worth millions reduced to charred remains. Shopkeepers, many of whom had invested their life savings, stood in stunned silence amid the wreckage. Thankfully, swift evacuations ensured no lives were lost, though the psychological impact lingers.
Responding to the crisis, officials are meticulously surveying the damage and promising aid to affected parties. This incident serves as a stark reminder of fire hazards in congested trading hubs, prompting calls for enhanced safety protocols and quicker emergency responses. Recovery will be arduous, but the resilient spirit of Kursela’s merchants shines through.