Passengers panicked after a sudden fire broke out inside Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International airport. According to sources, fire and smoke on the check-in area portal D near counter 16 was detected at around 9:12 pm and all the passengers and were evacuated safely to douse the fire.
“After several fire tenders were pressed into action the fire is at control. It is being ascertained whether there is any hidden fire. We are trying to resume flight services soon,” said the airport authority at the time of reporting.
Incidentally, the check-in was also stopped initially and no one except firefighters and police were allowed inside the airport.
Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia reacted to the incident and said he's in touch with the airport director.
"An unfortunate but minor fire broke out at the Kolkata airport near a check-in counter. In touch with the airport director - the situation is under control. All passengers & staff have been evacuated from the area. Fortunately, everyone is safe & no injuries have been reported. The check-in process resumed at 22:25 hrs. The cause of the fire will be ascertained at the earliest," Scindia said in his tweet.
Fire Minister Sujit Bose said that chances are not there that the fire will further spread.
According to an airport worker, passengers till the time of reporting were not allowed to enter the airport premises as smoke engulfed the area while the fire was being doused.
“We are initially presuming that the cause of the fire is due to a short circuit. However, an investigation is going on,” said the worker.
Commissioner of Bidhannagar police also reached the spot to take stock of the situation.
Stranded passengers who had urgent flights to board were seen ‘discontented’ as they didn’t know when the services would resume and were sent outside the airport after check-in.
Foam was sprayed on the flames to bring the situation under control. The fire started at around 9.12 pm doused by 9.40 pm.
Kolkata airport informed in a tweet that check-in and operations resumed by 10.15 pm.
