A massive fire broke out at a commercial warehouse near Angamaly railway station in Kerala’s Ernakulam district on Tuesday afternoon, causing severe traffic congestion on the busy Angamaly-Aluva National Highway.

The fire started around 3.30pm at a godown belonging to Baboos Trade Links, a local stationery and retail distributor. Several workers were reportedly inside the facility when the blaze broke out suddenly. They managed to flee the building as the fire spread.

Casualty details remain unclear

There were no confirmed reports of casualties or injuries at the time of reporting, although some reports said a person may have suffered burn injuries. The exact number of casualties, if any, and the cause of the fire have not yet been established.

The warehouse had reportedly been stocked with a much larger quantity of goods than usual to meet increased demand during the Onam festive season.

It contained a wide range of products, including groceries, plastic items and soft drinks. The presence of plastic and other highly flammable materials is believed to have contributed to the rapid spread of the flames.

Firefighters battle intense blaze

Four fire engine units rushed to the spot after the fire was reported. However, the intense heat and thick smoke initially made it difficult for firefighters to approach the building and begin effective firefighting operations.

The Angamaly fire station is located nearby, but bringing the blaze fully under control has proved challenging because of the intensity of the fire and the materials stored inside the warehouse.

Fire disrupts Onam-eve traffic

The fire has also caused major disruption to traffic along the National Highway. The warehouse is located immediately beside the busy road, which was already carrying heavy traffic.

Tuesday is Uthradam, the eve of Thiruvonam, and is traditionally associated with the intense last-minute shopping rush known as ‘Uthrada Pachil’ across Kerala.

The movement of fire engines to and from the warehouse further worsened the congestion. The situation was also aggravated by motorists and onlookers who slowed down or stopped to watch the fire and record videos on their mobile phones.

Police personnel are at the scene regulating traffic and working to divert vehicles through alternative routes as firefighting operations continue.