On a quiet Sunday afternoon in Kozhikode, the familiar hum of Ramanattukara gave way to the roar of a major fire when a paint shop in the area went up in flames, gutting years of business and inventory in a matter of hours. The incident, which took place on May 10, 2026, at Indian Associates, a paint shop in Ramanattukara, has left the owner facing losses estimated at over ₹1.5 crore. The blaze not only underscores the dangers posed by flammable materials in commercial spaces but also shines a spotlight on the vulnerability of small‑scale traders in Kerala’s bustling urban pockets. Here’s a detailed look at what happened, how the fire was controlled, and what this incident means for safety in Kozhikode’s commercial zones.
The fire at Indian Associates paint shop erupted around 1:00 PM on Sunday, when the shop was either open or in the process of setting up for the day. The exact trigger point is still under investigation, and fire officials have not yet pinned down a confirmed cause. Early reports suggest the blaze may have started from one of the stored paint or solvent containers, which can ignite easily due to heat, sparks, or electrical faults. Within minutes, the fire spread rapidly through the shop, fuelled by the highly inflammable nature of paint and its thinners. Thick black smoke billowed into the sky, drawing onlookers and alerting nearby residents and businesses. The intensity of the fire and the risk of explosions from pressurised cans and drums made it a tense and dangerous situation for firefighters and those in the vicinity.
Once the alarm was raised, the Meechanada Fire Station was the first to respond. A team from Meechanada rushed to the Ramanattukara shop and began dousing the flames, setting up water lines and trying to contain the fire from spreading to adjacent buildings. Given the scale of the blaze, the station soon called for reinforcements; units from the Beach Fire Station were deployed to support the operation. In total, three fire units from Meechanada and one from the Beach station worked together at the site, using high‑pressure hoses and other equipment to bring the fire under control. Despite the challenges posed by the paint and chemicals, firefighters managed to prevent the fire from jumping to nearby structures, which could have turned the incident into a larger disaster. It took over two hours of continuous firefighting before the flames were fully contained and the area declared safe. Smoke and heat lingered for some time, and officials had to ensure that all containers were cooled down and that no smouldering spots remained.
For the shop owner, Ashraf of Mambayil House, Mannoor, the fire is more than just a one‑day incident; it is a devastating economic blow. According to the Meechanada Fire Force, the owner reported a loss of over ₹1.5 crore, covering the value of the shop’s inventory, fittings, and possibly the building itself. Indian Associates appears to have been a substantial paint dealership, likely stocking a variety of brands, shades, and related products. A loss of this scale can wipe out months of working capital, leave employees in uncertainty, and force the owner to consider whether to rebuild, relocate, or scale down operations. For the local business community in Ramanattukara, the fire serves as a stark reminder of the risks involved in storing flammable materials in densely populated areas. It also raises questions about whether small traders have adequate insurance coverage and emergency preparedness plans in place.
The Ramanattukara incident is not the first time a paint‑related fire has made headlines. Similar blazes at paint shops or factories across India have often been triggered by short circuits, welding sparks, or poor ventilation, turning entire warehouses into infernos in minutes. The combination of flammable solvents, aerosol cans, and stacked containers creates a perfect storm for a fast‑spreading fire that can be difficult to contain once it starts. In Kozhikode, where many small‑scale paint and hardware shops operate in busy residential and commercial lanes, the risks are especially high. Fire safety measures such as proper storage, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and clear exit routes are often either inadequate or ignored in the interest of saving space and cost.
Read more at: https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2026/05/10/ramanattukara-paint-shop-fire.html