12 Kolkata: The blaze at 65/A Pathuriaghata Street has once again highlighted the blatant disregard for fire safety norms in Burrabazar, the city's business district.
This incident is yet another warning sign ignored in Kolkata's oldest and most congested commercial-cum-residential neighbourhood, which locals say is no less than a tinderbox.
The building where the fire broke out was officially a Dharamshala. But it was converted over the years for commercial use, housing godowns and manufacturing units that operated without following any fire safety guidelines.
At 64 Pathuriaghata Street next door, small-scale manufacturing units operate out of cramped rooms with little regard for fire safety. The electric wiring is in urgent need of an overhaul, combustible materials are dumped across the building, and corridors are blocked. Locals allege that these units often store flammable materials like packaging supplies and chemicals in bulk.
"There is hardly any maintenance due to a dispute with the landlord. Local administration is also least bothered," said Vishesh Jain, a tenant staying at the building. Behind the fire site, at 9 Prasanna Kumar Tagore Street, one floor has been turned into a hosiery stitching unit, while two other floors are used for packaging rakhis inside what is supposed to be a residential building. "They operate electrical machines and have powerful ACs installed," said a resident, requesting anonymity
At 63 Pathuriaghata Street, illegal structures built using timber and other combustible materials have come. Fire officials say enforcement is difficult due to the mixed-use nature of buildings and the high number of small businesses operating out of old, dilapidated buildings. "Even after we issue notices or conduct checks, business owners find ways to resume operations without implementing fire safety measures," said an official .