Fire breaks out in Kolkata's Topsia area, no casualties

NEW DELHI: A fire broke out at a slum in the Topsia area of east Kolkata on Friday afternoon, destroying nearly 150 dwellings. The fire started around 12.50 pm at the slum on DN Dey Road, near the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass, and was brought under control by 2.10 pm.


Fifteen fire tenders were dispatched to the scene to battle the blaze. Despite initial challenges in controlling the fire due to dry winter winds and the densely packed, inflammable materials in the slum, the flames were eventually contained. No injuries have been reported so far.

"The flames were brought under control at 2.10 pm," said a fire brigade official. The congested layout of the slum and the tight-knit dwellings made it difficult for fire trucks to reach the site quickly. The surrounding canals, which could have provided water for the fire trucks, were not effective in containing the flames during the first two hours.
Locals helped firefighters, but some residents were upset about the delay in fire engines arriving. "Some of the residents alleged that fire tenders took longer than usual to reach the spot," said police.

State Fire Services Minister Sujit Basu, who came to the site, said, "I appeal to all residents to maintain calm. They may have their reasons to be angry and I am willing to listen to them. But, the priority now is to douse the flames."

"I had requisitioned 15 fire tenders and asked the police to keep the route vacant so that there was no delay in their arrival," he added.
Rescue teams were also sent to help recover and assist people affected by the fire. A police officer mentioned that residents from a nearby high-rise building were evacuated because of the danger from the fire.


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