Kolkata, Aug 19: West Bengal minister Kaushik Chowdhury on Wednesday said prompt action by the Fire Brigade Department resulted in the rescue of around 80 people from a central Kolkata building that was partially gutted in a devastating blaze, which claimed nine lives.
He said that prima facie, the cause of death of the majority of the nine people appears to be asphyxia, as burn injuries were not found on most of the deceased.
“We have been able to rescue around 80 people from the building,” the Fire and Emergency Services Department minister told reporters at the spot on Mirza Ghalib Street.
Visiting the site, state Urban Development Minister Agnimitra Paul questioned how the hotel and other establishments operating in the area obtained the requisite trade licences and fire department no-objection certificates (NoCs), questioning the role of his predecessor in the department.
A four-year-old child and two women were among the nine dead, while six others were injured in the blaze at the five-storey building that houses several hotels, police said.
Among those rescued, a couple were taken out from the only window in the affected portion, Chowdhury said.
“Others could also have been saved had there been windows and proper arrangements,” he said.
He said the Fire Brigade Department, with its headquarters nearby, reacted quickly and started the rescue work immediately.
“We got information around 2.07 am, and the rescue operation was launched at 2.08 am,” the minister said.
Asked whether fire alarms and other safety norms were maintained in the building, he said, “We are looking into it, though I did not find much when I went inside the premises.” Chowdhury said such issues will be addressed during the forensic investigation of the affected building.
“The most important part is that on every floor of this building, there are four to five hotels, and most of the cramped rooms do not even have windows,” he said.
Criticising the previous TMC dispensation, the minister questioned how trade licenses were granted to such hotels.
“A thorough investigation will be conducted, and steps would be taken against all those found responsible,” he asserted.
A committee will be formed to investigate the incident, Chowdhury said, adding several other buildings in the vicinity also house hotels and those will be scrutinised as well.
Fire audits will be conducted in all hotels across the state, he said.
Paul said a committee will be formed comprising officials from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, fire department, police and PWD to look into whether fire safety and other building norms are being conformed to by all the buildings in the vicinity of the affected premises.
Paul said that the issue will be discussed with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.
The Urban Development Minister also questioned the role of her predecessor in ensuring safety in such buildings.
Firhad Hakim was the Urban Development Minister and mayor of Kolkata before Paul.
The blaze came two days after nine people were killed in a hotel fire at Tarapith in Birbhum district on August 17. (PTI)
