Hundreds left homeless as fire ravages Topsia slum
Times of India | 21 December 2024
1234 Kolkata: A fire broke out at Mazdoor Bustee off E M Bypass in Topsia around 12.30pm on Friday, burning down 120-odd shanties, built illegally between two canals, to ashes. No casualty was reported and no one was trapped inside as most residents were either attending the afternoon namaz or were away at work.
While police couldn't specify the cause of the fire till late on Friday, locals said it probably started from a firewood oven at one of the shanties. "The fire possibly started from a home. As the shanties are covered in plastic, the flames spread fast. Some homes had portable LPG cylinders that burst," said Rahmat Ali, a neighbour, who joined the rescue operation.
As the news of the fire spread, many ran back from their prayer to save their homes; some even swam across the canal. But almost nothing could be saved by the families, who were seen scavenging through the ashes.
Sixteen fire engines were sent though eight could be used. A fire officer said none of the engines could go near the slum and had to spray water from the other side of the canals. Firemen, too, had a tough time crossing the canal and joining hose pipes to spray water on the shanties. The fire was finally brought under control around 2 pm but before that, residents hurled bottles, stones and bricks at cops and firemen, alleging delay. "I've lost everything. All my savings, our documents, my two sons' books. The fire station is very near. What took them so long?" said Azizul Molla (50). Firemen claimed they had reached on time but had a tough time reaching the slum in absence of enough space.
Sheikh Abbas, a Class VIII student, rummaged through the ruins, trying to retrieve his books. "All my books are burnt, and so are my clothes." he said. Md Suleiman (42), a driver, said he was ferrying a tourist, when he learnt about the fire, and rushed back home. "This is the third time a fire broke out here," he said. "But we have faith in the administration. They helped us rebuild our shanties the last two times. This time too, they have promised so."
Fire minister Sujit Bose and disaster management minister Javed Khan promised to rebuild the homes and a proper probe.
The flames burnt down several tall trees, leading to panic even among residents of nearby high-rises. "The fire was at a considerable distance but it was scary," said Raunak Agarwal, a resident of a high-rise.
Kolkata: A fire broke out at Mazdoor Bustee off E M Bypass in Topsia around 12.30pm on Friday, burning down 120-odd shanties, built illegally between two canals, to ashes. No casualty was reported and no one was trapped inside as most residents were either attending the afternoon namaz or were away at work.
While police couldn't specify the cause of the fire till late on Friday, locals said it probably started from a firewood oven at one of the shanties. "The fire possibly started from a home. As the shanties are covered in plastic, the flames spread fast. Some homes had portable LPG cylinders that burst," said Rahmat Ali, a neighbour, who joined the rescue operation.
As the news of the fire spread, many ran back from their prayer to save their homes; some even swam across the canal. But almost nothing could be saved by the families, who were seen scavenging through the ashes.
Sixteen fire engines were sent though eight could be used. A fire officer said none of the engines could go near the slum and had to spray water from the other side of the canals. Firemen, too, had a tough time crossing the canal and joining hose pipes to spray water on the shanties. The fire was finally brought under control around 2 pm but before that, residents hurled bottles, stones and bricks at cops and firemen, alleging delay. "I've lost everything. All my savings, our documents, my two sons' books. The fire station is very near. What took them so long?" said Azizul Molla (50). Firemen claimed they had reached on time but had a tough time reaching the slum in absence of enough space.
Sheikh Abbas, a Class VIII student, rummaged through the ruins, trying to retrieve his books. "All my books are burnt, and so are my clothes." he said. Md Suleiman (42), a driver, said he was ferrying a tourist, when he learnt about the fire, and rushed back home. "This is the third time a fire broke out here," he said. "But we have faith in the administration. They helped us rebuild our shanties the last two times. This time too, they have promised so."
Fire minister Sujit Bose and disaster management minister Javed Khan promised to rebuild the homes and a proper probe.
The flames burnt down several tall trees, leading to panic even among residents of nearby high-rises. "The fire was at a considerable distance but it was scary," said Raunak Agarwal, a resident of a high-rise.
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