Massive fire engulfs Angamaly warehouse ahead of Onam; no casualties reported

KOCHI : A massive fire swept through the warehouse of a supermarket and wholesale stationery business in Angamaly in Kerala’s Ernakulam district on Tuesday, destroying a substantial quantity of goods stocked ahead of the Onam shopping season, officials said.

The fire broke out shortly before 4 p.m. at Babu’s Stores, near Angamaly railway station and the National Highway, sending thick plumes of black smoke across the busy commercial area.

Police said workers who were inside the warehouse managed to evacuate as the flames began spreading and no casualties had been reported.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known. Police said a clearer assessment could be made after the blaze was completely brought under control.

Fire and rescue officials said large quantities of plastic stationery products and grocery goods stored inside the warehouse helped the flames spread rapidly through the building.

Firefighting operations were initially hampered by heavy traffic on the National Highway amid the Onam festive rush, delaying the movement of emergency vehicles to the site.

As the blaze intensified, fire and rescue units from across Ernakulam district were deployed. Fire tenders from at least eight stations, including Angamaly, Chalakudy, Perumbavoor, Mala, North Paravur, Aluva and Eloor, were sent to the scene.

Additional units from Gandhinagar and nearby Cochin International Airport at Nedumbassery were also placed on standby.

Authorities were yet to estimate the extent of the financial damage.