Kolkata: Over 100 residents of two residential buildings located off Rabindra Sarani in Burrabazar area, close to Nakhoda Masjid, had a narrow escape when a fire was reported from a godown adjoining their flats early on Monday morning.
The residents attempted dramatic escapes after the alarm was raised, men clinging on to ropes hanging out of windows, women jumping from one building to another.At least one person was injured during the process of evacuation, even before the fire brigade arrived.
Residents questioned how a godown that stored easily combustible cartons and plastic rags and had a tin shed for cover, could operate for more than one-and-a-half decades on a disputed property despite local residents lodging multiple complaints against it.
The fire reduced the godown to ashes butleft three buildings – a G+4 flat, a G+6 flat and a guest house – severely damaged. For some like Farida Khatoon who resided on the third floor of one of the buildings, her entire bedroom has been reduced to ashes and she has been forced to shift.
The fire was first detected around 4.50 am, with some Namazis raising the alarm. Among them was Amir Hussain Molla, who owns a tea shop in the area. “I could see the fire spreading and raised an alarm. Others joined in. We kept shouting so that everyone could get up and escape,” he said.
Fire minister Sujit Bose who arrived at the spot to oversee the operation said that 16 fire tenders took around two hours to arrest the fire. The cooling process continued till 1pm. Thougha short circuit is suspected to be behind the fire, fire department officers said they are yet to arrive at a conclusion.