Fire rips through plastic factory on Sevoke Road
Siliguri officials and emergency crews raced to contain a massive fire that gutted a major portion of a plastic manufacturing unit inside the Industrial Estate on Sevoke Road on Monday morning, according to local reports.
Eyewitnesses said workers at neighbouring factories first noticed sparks and flames coming from the unit, which stores large quantities of highly combustible plastic material. The flames spread rapidly, generating thick black smoke that engulfed the area and prompted panic among nearby workers and residents.
Response by fire and police
Four fire engines were dispatched to the scene after emergency calls, and personnel from Bhaktinagar Police Station also reached the site to assist with crowd control and cordon off the area. Firefighters prioritised preventing the blaze from spreading to adjacent warehouses and factories, several of which are located in close proximity inside the industrial complex.
- Fire engines deployed: 4
- Police presence: Bhaktinagar Police Station personnel and senior police review
- Precautionary action: Electricity supply to surrounding area disconnected
“An investigation would be conducted to determine whether adequate fire safety measures were in place.”
The statement was attributed to Siliguri Police Commissioner Syed Waqar Raza, who visited the scene to review the situation. Officials said they will probe compliance with mandatory fire-safety norms and the circumstances that allowed the blaze to escalate rapidly.
Risk factors and immediate consequences
The factory stored a large quantity of plastic — material that is both highly combustible and produces dense, toxic smoke when burnt. Firefighters took immediate measures to limit the spread of the flames and to protect adjoining units. As a precaution, electricity supply in the surrounding area was disconnected to reduce risk of further ignition and to allow safe working conditions for emergency teams.
| Aspect | Reported detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Industrial Estate, Sevoke Road, Siliguri |
| Units deployed | 4 fire engines; Bhaktinagar Police Station personnel |
| Primary hazard | Large quantities of combustible plastic; dense black smoke |
So far, there has been no official release detailing casualties, injuries or the financial extent of the damage. Local media reports and eyewitness accounts focused on the speed with which the fire spread and the visible smoke column that affected air quality in the immediate neighbourhood.
Broader implications for Siliguri's industrial belt
Sevoke Road forms a crucial industrial corridor in Siliguri, linking warehouses, small factories and logistics hubs that serve the city and the wider Dooars and North Bengal region. Fires in such clusters risk not only property loss and job disruption but also public health concerns, given the toxic emissions from burning plastics.
The police commissioner's announcement of a formal investigation will centre on whether the unit followed statutory fire-safety measures, storage norms for hazardous materials and whether adequate firefighting infrastructure was accessible within the estate. Findings could prompt enforcement action or recommendations for improved fire-prevention systems across the industrial cluster.
Local business associations and workers' groups are likely to monitor the probe closely, since any tighter regulations or remedial measures could affect operations and employment in the area. For residents of Siliguri living close to industrial tracts, the incident underscores ongoing safety and environmental vulnerabilities in the city’s expanding manufacturing zones.
Further official updates, including the cause of ignition, extent of loss and any health advisories, are expected to be released once the investigation proceeds and fire officials complete their on-site assessment.
