Panskura: A fire broke out at a Kali Puja pandal at Kalibazar in Jashora, under Panskura police station in East Midnapore, on Saturday, hours before its scheduled inauguration.The pandal was organised by the local traders’ association, Kalibazar Byabsayi Samiti. Artisans were putting the final touches on this year’s theme, which was to open to the public on the eve of the festival. Around 5pm, flames engulfed the structure, reducing the artwork and the pandal to ashes within minutes.Smoke billowed over the neighbourhood and residents panicked. Locals formed bucket brigades and used nearby water sources to douse the flames before fire tenders arrived from Tamluk. Police from Panskura police station reached the spot to manage the crowd and help with the firefighting. The fire was kept from spreading to nearby shops and homes.The cause is not yet known. Police said they are investigating whether it was a short circuit, an accidental spark or something else. “Our team reached the site immediately upon receiving the news. A thorough investigation is underway to ascertain the cause,” the officer-in-charge of Panskura police station said.
