Kolkata, June 16 (UNI) A devastating fire significantly destroyed trading and businesses of some 1,300 traders and their establishments at the congested Kidderpore market in south Kolkata in the early hours on Monday, official sources said.

There has been no loss of life in the fire. Plumes of black smoke covered the entire area after the blaze was noticed around 1 am, officials and eyewitnesses said.

The fire reduced to ashes shops and business establishments belonging to some 1,300 traders at the Kidderpore market, also known the Orphangunje market, a highly congested area.

Fire brigade personnel, who deployed some 20 firefighting vehicles, are engaged in dousing flames in isolated pockets when reports last came in.

State fire minister Sujit Bose said there had been no report of any loss of human life in the blaze. He also denied the local people's claim that the fire fighting vehicles arrived late. He said since the area is congested, it would naturally slow down the movement of vehicles.

Bose said the fire tenders were brought from Garden Reach, the headquarters, and other areas such as Watgunj, to douse the flames.

The cause of the fire is being investigated.

UNI PC PRS