Comprehensive fire safety audit will be done immediately, says collector

HOWEVER, thick smoke and the building's dense structure hindered progress in containing the blaze. Later, more fire units were called in from other areas.

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @Kozhikode

"Initially, it was impossible to reach the upper floors due to intense heat and low visibility. We had to break several windows to get in," said a fire and rescue services official. "The structure's internal layout made it hard to manoeuvre. We waited until the fire subsided by at least 60% before making a proper entry into the building," the official said.

The building, reportedly owned by Kozhikode Corporation, houses a cluster of wholesale and retail businesses dealing in textiles, school supplies, and festival merchandise, most of which were stocked up in anticipation of the upcoming Valiya Perunaal festival and school reopening season.

Harshad C P, a porter at the bus stand, said: "The building was full of stock. The fire broke out at Calicut Textiles first. Then it spread to Fashion Bazar. We helped the rescue teams by removing gas cylinders from eateries on the ground floor," he said.