A market which has a godown-cum-office complex in Kolkata’s Sealdah area caught fire early today on February 27, 2013. The incident has left about 19 people dead and several others injured. Joint commissioner of police Javed Shamim said that the deceased people include a woman. About 15 people were rescued from the inferno.
The fire was first detected in the Sealdah building at 3:50 am when the victims were fast asleep. The injured were rushed to the state-run NRS and Medical College hospitals. Mamata Banerjee, the chief minister of the state visited the spot later in the morning. The market building had shops as well as families living in it.
The chief minister said that the incident was of major concern and suggested that the families be moved to night shelters. Mamata said, ”The government will be strict about safety conditions in buildings like this one”. The chief minister added that she was not in favor of destroying the livelihoods of people, but just the hazardous buildings will be taken out, which are currently a threat.
Javed Khan, the Fire Services minister said that about six people were brought out from the burning godown in an unconscious state by the firemen. the firemen worked hard and tried to pull out as many survivors as they could.
