Fire Breaks Out at Kolkata Airport ATC Building

A fire broke out at the Air Traffic Control (ATC) building of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata early on Tuesday morning. The incident occurred at approximately 4:43 AM on the third floor of the old ATC building. The fire was reported in an open balcony area of the facility, prompting an immediate response from airport authorities.

Firefighting Operations and Control

Three fire tenders from the airport’s dedicated fire service reached the spot shortly after the alarm was raised. The fire was brought under control after a two-hour operation, and cooling procedures were completed by 6:00 AM. Airport Director Vikram Singh confirmed that the fire was confined to an open area where external air conditioning units are installed. A detailed investigation is currently underway to determine the exact cause of the fire.

Impact on Flight Operations

Despite the location of the fire in the building that manages aircraft movement, airport management stated that there was no disruption to flight services. All scheduled flights continued to operate normally throughout the incident. The ATC building houses critical communication systems used by officials to stay in contact with pilots. Management confirmed that these essential technical systems remained safe and were not damaged by the fire.

Cause and Investigation

Preliminary findings suggest that a short circuit in the electrical wiring used for Independence Day decorations may have caused the fire. The fire remained restricted to the open balcony area, ensuring that the vital equipment inside the ATC building remained secure. Further inspection is being conducted by officials to verify the initial assessment regarding the electrical wiring as reported by Hindusthan Samachar.