Kolkata Airport ATC Building Fire: Close Call as Blaze Is Contained, Flights Remain Unaffected 

A fire broke out at the old Air Traffic Control (ATC) building of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in the early hours of Tuesday, prompting an immediate firefighting response but causing no disruption to flight operations. Airport employees noticed flames at around 4 a.m., following which airport fire services were alerted and fire tenders were rushed to the site.

According to Airport Director Vikram Singh, the fire broke out in an open area of the old ATC building and was contained before spreading to other sections. Officials initially said two fire tenders were deployed, while later reporting from The Indian Express said three tenders brought the blaze under control. There were no reported injuries or casualties, and authorities said there was no major damage to the building.

The precise location has been described differently in early reports, with officials identifying the affected area as the third floor, while another report placed it on an extended open terrace on the second floor. The consistent official information is that the fire was restricted to an open section of the old ATC building and did not spread further. Airport authorities said arrivals and departures continued normally, with no flight cancellations or delays attributed to the incident.

A short circuit involving decorative string lights installed for Independence Day is currently suspected to have triggered the fire, according to preliminary assessments by fire officials. However, this remains a preliminary finding and has not been confirmed as the final cause. Authorities are investigating the incident and assessing the affected area to determine the exact cause and extent of damage.

The incident occurred in the old ATC complex, while flight-management operations are conducted from an adjacent connected structure, according to The Indian Express. This helps explain why the blaze did not interrupt aircraft movements despite occurring within an important airport facility.

As of the latest reports on Tuesday evening, the fire has been brought under control, airport operations remain normal and no casualties have been reported. The investigation into the cause of the blaze is continuing, with the suspected electrical fault involving decorative lighting yet to be conclusively established.