Chaos erupted in Bihar’s Katihar district on Sunday evening when a ferocious blaze tore through the bustling Kursela Haat market along NH-31. What started as a sudden spark rapidly escalated into a raging inferno, engulfing over 100 shops and reducing them to ashes within minutes. Eyewitnesses described a scene of pure pandemonium as flames fueled by strong winds spread like wildfire across the crowded marketplace.
Local residents sprang into action, desperately trying to douse the flames with whatever means they had at hand. Fire tenders rushed to the spot upon receiving the alert, battling the blaze with full force. Given the scale of the disaster, additional firefighting units were summoned from nearby Navgachia and Bhagalpur. As of late evening, efforts to fully contain the fire were still underway, with thick smoke billowing into the night sky.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, though preliminary suspicions point to a possible short circuit or an errant spark from one of the shops. Traders and shopkeepers watched helplessly as their livelihoods—stocked with goods worth crores—were devoured by the flames. No casualties have been reported so far, a small mercy amid the devastation.
Authorities have set up camp at the site, conducting a thorough assessment of the damage. The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting the vulnerabilities of densely packed markets to such calamities. Relief measures are being planned, but for now, the focus remains on securing the area and preventing any further outbreaks.