'It's difficult to contain pockets of fire inside,' deputy fire director on Kolkata's Bagri market blaze 

A massive fire that broke out at Kolkata Bagri market on Sunday, rages on. According to reports, the firefighters are struggling to douse the blaze, however, it has been stopped from spreading further.

"We've reached from ground to top floor and have succeeded in containing the fire but due to the presence of chemicals there, it's difficult to contain pockets of fire inside," Deputy fire director, Kolkata told media.

As many as 35 fire tenders and nearly 250 firemen are on the spot trying to put out the fire that has caused huge losses to traders here ahead of the Durga Puja festival.

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The blaze, which erupted around 2.30 am on the ground floor of the multi-storey building in the congested Canning Street, continues to rage on, the Director General of West Bengal Fire and Emergency Services, Jagmohan, said.

"We have been able to control the blaze from spreading to neighbouring buildings, but it's still raging. The huge amount of inflammable materials stacked inside is not helping our efforts," Jagmohan told PTI.

It will take 24 to 48 hours to control the blaze, he said, adding, efforts were on to bring hydraulic ladders inside the area to boost the firefighting measures.

"As the area is very congested, we are finding it difficult to work. We are using ladders and gas cutters to enter the building through window grills. A forensic team will visit the site soon to ascertain the cause behind the incident," a senior fire official said.

(With inputs from PTI)