KOLKATA: Fire-fighters battling the Bagri market blaze were thrown off guard with the new set of challenges first working day of the week tossed at them.The movement of the fire tenders ferrying water from various sources including the Hooghly suddenly slowed down around 8.30 am on Monday when the business peak hour traffic picked up. Due to restrictions on several important roads in the business district the fire tenders got stuck in traffic jam in several pockets. Fire tenders coming from Free School Street took Brabourne Road but got stuck as the traffic is south bound on working days.“We did not anticipate this problem as we were busy battling the blaze. It took us atleast two hours to understand the problem and work out a strategy,” said a senior fire department official.The problems fire tenders faced also highlighted the lack of co-ordination between the cops and the fire officials. “If we had opened a proper channel of communication with the police this problem would not have cropped up,” said the official.Firemen also had to face some hostility from the local businessmen several times on Monday. Most have the same grouse that the firemen were not doing their properly which was causing the delay. “I saw flame in one pocket on the second floor and informed them but they did ignored it,” complained a trader.Firemen explained that they have to follow a strategy while dousing the flame. They also said their resources were so stretched that they cannot spare men and machines for every pocket which is ablaze.“We can only park a few fire tenders here which means we only have a few water sources. We cannot assign an exclusive fire tender for every pocket of fire,” said a fireman.Most firemen have been on duty since Sunday morning which has sapped them of all energy. “The weather is very humid and the heat due to the fire is immense. Our men are very tired but they are performing their duly bravely,” said the fire department official.

Stay updated with all the Kolkata Latest News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.