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{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2018}}
{{Infobox news event
|title =
|image = File:India West Bengal locator map.svg
|image_name =
|image_size =
|caption = Location of the West Bengal
|date = 27 February 2013
|time =
|place = [[Kolkata]], [[West Bengal]], [[India]]
|coordinates =
|also known as =
|cause =
|first reporter =
|filmed by =
|participants =
|outcome =
|reported death(s) = 19
|reported injuries = 17
|reported missing = 0
|reported property damage = Market
|burial =
|inquiries =
|inquest =
|coroner =
|suspects =
|charges =
|verdict =
|convictions =
|publication bans =
|litigation =
|awards =
|url =
|website =
|notes =
}}

The '''2013 Kolkata market fire''' was a fire accident that occurred in a five-storeyed marketplace in [[Kolkata]], the capital city of [[West Bengal]], [[India]], on 27 February 2013. An estimated 19 people, who were mostly labourers working in the market were killed in the accident. Initial reports indicate the fire might have been initiated by a short circuit in the first floor of the market.<ref name="ndtv1">{{cite news|title=19 killed in Kolkata market fire|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/19-killed-in-kolkata-market-fire-336128|publisher=NDTV|date=27 February 2013|accessdate=2013-03-02}}</ref> The other major fire accidents in Kolkata are the [[AMRI hospital fire#Fire incident|2011 AMRI hospital fire accident]] that killed 90 people and 2018 Bagri Market fire in which no people were killed but lasted for 4 days which destroyed nearly 1000 shops.

==The accident==
The Surya Sen street market was an illegal market operating in the area of Surya Sen street. An estimated 19 people, who were mostly labourers working in the market were killed in the accident, and 17 people were admitted to the hospital in critical condition.
Most of the people who were killed in the accident were shopkeepers and labourers who stayed overnight in the market. The accident occurred at around 3:50 in the morning. The rescue operations took nearly 3 hours for the 20 fire tenders who fought the fire. The rescue operations were hampered by smoke in the narrow lanes leading to the fire and in the only exit available in the building.<ref name="NDTV1">{{cite news|title=17 killed in Kolkata market fire, Mamata Banerjee visits site|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/17-killed-in-kolkata-market-fire-mamata-banerjee-visits-site-335903|last=Malik|first=Surabhi|publisher=NDTV|date=27 February 2013|accessdate=2013-03-02}}</ref>
Eyewitness have alleged that the fire brigade were late and the rescue operations were delayed as gas masks and gas cutters were not brought along.<ref name="ndtv1"/> Initial reports suggest that fire might have been initiated by a fire in the eatery.<ref name="toi">{{cite news|title=Mamata hints at sabotage as 19 people killed in Kolkata market fire|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-02-27/kolkata/37329741_1_market-fire-fire-tenders-fire-services-minister|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130302032147/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-02-27/kolkata/37329741_1_market-fire-fire-tenders-fire-services-minister|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 March 2013|last=Chakraborty|first=Ajanta|location=Kolkota|date=27 February 2013|work=[[The Times of India]]|accessdate=2013-03-02}}</ref><ref name="hindu">{{cite news|title=Many areas in Kolkata still a tinderbox, says Mamata|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/market-fire-mamata-seeks-report-announces-relief/article4458125.ece|work=The Hindu|location=Kolkota|date=27 February 2013|accessdate=2013-03-02}}</ref>

The market fire is the second major one in Kolkata after the [[AMRI hospital fire#Fire incident|2011 AMRI hospital fire accident]] that killed 90 people. The Hon'ble Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, admitted lapses on implementing the fire safety steps from the 2011 incident.<ref name="hindubusinessline">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/states/mamata-admits-to-lapses-in-fire-safety-effort/article4459397.ece|title=Mamata admits to lapses in fire safety effort|date=27 February 2013|work=The Hindu Business Line|accessdate=2013-03-02|location=Kolkota}}</ref> The Chief Minister of the state, [[Mamata Banerjee]] visited the site afterwards.<ref name="NDTV1"/>

==Post accident==
In the aftermath of the fire, the market was closed for entry for days. The shop owners were allowed to set up temporary shops on the pavements adjoining the market. While the exact value of losses of the shop owners are not known, it is inferred that many of the small shop owners have lost their lifetime savings in the fire. Many of them were reported to be on the lookout for alternate employment and seeking relief from the state government.<ref name="toi1">{{cite news|title=Blaze-hit traders face uncertain future|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-03-02/kolkata/37389746_1_grocery-shop-pavement-fire-victims|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411050011/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-03-02/kolkata/37389746_1_grocery-shop-pavement-fire-victims|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 April 2013|last=Ghosh|first=Dwaipayan|location=Kolkota|date=2 March 2013|work=[[The Times of India]]|accessdate=2013-03-02}}</ref>

==See also==

[[2011 AMRI Hospital fire|2011 AMRI hospital fire]]

[[2018 Bagri Market Fire]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Disasters in India in 2013}}

{{coord missing|West Bengal}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kolkata market fire}}

{{#seo:
|keywords=2013 fires, Fires in India, Disasters in West Bengal, 2010s in Kolkata, February 2013 events in India, Commercial building fires
|description=
}}

[[Category:2013 fires]]
[[Category:2013 disasters in India|fire]]
[[Category:Fires in India]]
[[Category:Disasters in West Bengal]]
[[Category:2010s in Kolkata]]
[[Category:February 2013 events in India]]
[[Category:Commercial building fires]]

2013 Kolkata market fire - Revision history

MetaBOT at 18:02, 8 July 2023