With the World Cup looming, renovation efforts at the iconic Eden Gardens faced an unforeseen challenge late on Wednesday night. A blaze erupted in the dressing room, prompting immediate action from local authorities. Workers on site were the first to spot the flames and swiftly alerted the fire department. Two fire engines were dispatched, managing to contain the fire rapidly.
The fire is believed to have ignited in the dressing room's false ceiling, an area which held the players' equipment. While the structural damage to Eden Gardens was relatively minimal, the belongings of the cricketers stored were unfortunately consumed by the flames. Preliminary investigations suggest that a potential electrical short circuit may have been the culprit behind the blaze.
Despite extinguishing the flame with relative ease and preventing any permanent damage, this incident has inevitably cast doubts over the stadium's infrastructure, especially with the World Cup around the corner. The renowned cricketing venue is slated to host five pivotal matches, with a tight deadline set for the completion of renovation works by September 15.
Concerns were further amplified as the International Cricket Council (ICC) representatives had recently expressed contentment with the ongoing renovations. With their next visit scheduled for the following month, this incident throws a wrench into the preparations.
The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) is taking this incident with utmost seriousness. Debabrata Das, the Joint Secretary, who rushed to the scene post the fire report, emphasized their commitment to ensuring impeccable arrangements for the World Cup. The focus now lies on determining the origin of the fire and addressing any possible lapses in protocol or negligence.
In line with international standards, fire clearance is mandatory for all matches, a protocol that has been stringently adhered to for the ODI World Cup. Detailed plans and measures for fire-related emergencies have already been shared with the joint inspection teams of the ICC and the board.
The swift containment of the fire was due in large part to the vigilant on-site workers and the efficient response of the fire department. It's speculated that the vast amount of electrical equipment, often powered by temporary connections due to ongoing renovations, might be at the heart of this incident. However, pinpointing the exact cause remains a challenge, particularly as the stadium's CCTV systems are currently offline owing to the revamp.
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