A fire engulfed a 16-bigha slum in Akra-Santoshpur, South 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, damaging the overhead wire of the South Suburban railway section nearby. This incident has led to the suspension of train services on the Budge Budge–Sealdah South suburban section. About 40 huts within the slum were destroyed in the fire, with firefighting efforts underway.
The cause of the fire remains unclear, though initial suspicions point to a possible short circuit. The presence of highly flammable materials in the slum contributed to the rapid spread of the blaze. Situated close to the South Suburban railway section, the fire quickly extended towards the railway tracks.
Due to the damage to the overhead wire, local train services along that line were halted, causing significant inconvenience to passengers. Eastern Railway authorities have mobilized resources to address the situation promptly, with a team of experts already on-site to assess and mitigate the impact on railway operations.
Local residents initially attempted to contain the fire before seeking assistance from the fire brigade. As the flames intensified, some residents were overwhelmed with emotion, fearing substantial losses. The area affected falls under the Maheshtala Assembly constituency, drawing attention from political figures ahead of the upcoming elections.
