Massive Inferno Decimates Katihar’s Kursela Market; Over 500 Shops Reduced to Ashes

The inferno transformed the bustling marketplace into a harrowing scene of smoke and debris as shopkeepers and residents watched helplessly. Local administrative officials and multiple fire brigades were deployed to the site in an urgent bid to contain the flames, battling the conflagration throughout the night. Despite the mobilization of heavy machinery and emergency personnel, the density of the market and the highly flammable nature of the stored goods hampered initial containment efforts. The civil administration has remained on-site to oversee the cooling operations and to ensure that the perimeter is secured, preventing further risks to neighboring residential pockets.

In the wake of the disaster, the focus has shifted toward damage assessment and humanitarian relief. District authorities are currently documenting the extent of the loss, as hundreds of small-scale entrepreneurs and vendors find their livelihoods completely vanished. Police and fire department experts are expected to conduct a comprehensive forensic analysis to determine whether the spark originated from a short circuit or a violation of safety protocols. As the smoke clears, the incident serves as a grim reminder of the vulnerabilities inherent in congested commercial zones, highlighting an urgent need for enhanced fire safety infrastructure and more robust emergency response mechanisms in rural economic centers.