Kolkata: A devastating fire in a portion of
the iconic New Market here tonight damaged several shops as
firemen rescued many people trapped inside but there were no
casualties.
"The fire has been controlled after two hours and there
is no casualty," state Fire Services Minister Javed Khan told
a news agency tonight.
He said the police, fire brigade and the forensic
department would conduct inquiries into the cause of the blaze
and the extent of damage in the heritage New Market (formerly
SS Hogg Market)."
The fire had damaged a large portion of the New Market
in December, 1985, after which several blocks were rebuilt.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee rushed to the spot and
supervised the fire fighting operations. She was found
directing the firemen and the police at the spot.
City Mayor Sovon Chatterjee was also camping there.
Panic spread in the congested New Market area as the
fire alarm was sounded when the shopowners were downing
shutters at about 8.45 pm.
The police said firemen promptly reached the spot and
evacuated the customers, shopowners and the employees from the
affected shops. Twenty fire tenders were engaged to put out
the blaze.
The firemen said they faced difficulties in dousing
the flames due to dense smoke.
PTI
First Published: Thursday, July 21, 2011, 00:04