Fire guts top floor of south Kol guest house
Times of India | 26 September 2025All people who were present inside the building were evacuted. There were no casualties.
Local residents initially attempted to douse the flames, but the situation got worse in no time. The fire department was alerted, and five fire engines took more than one-and-a-half hours to bring the situation under control.
According to DC (Jadavpur-South Suburban) Bidisha Kalita, it appears there was a short-circuit in the AC's outdoor unit.
However, further forensic examinations can establish the exact cause, she added.
The fire is believed to have originated from a temporary shed on the roof. An employee of the guest house mentioned that the section of the roof where the fire started was not in use. Usha Das, a cook at the guest house, said: "I was working downstairs when I saw smoke billowing out of the window. That's when I realized there was a fire. Everyone panicked and we were asked to leave.
I managed to switch off the gas and flee from the building.
"
Fire Minister Sujit Bose addressed the media, confirming that the fire department was thoroughly investigating the incident. He emphasised the need to verify whether the top floor of the guest house was constructed in compliance with building regulations.
