Fire at rooftop cafe in Kolkata
A big fire broke out this morning at a rooftop café on a building at the crossing of Park Street and Camac Street. No casualties were reported.
The fire was spotted at 10.35 am. Heavy smoke was seen billowing out, causing panic among office-goers present there. According to the police, there was no one present in the building at that time.
While nine fire engines were pressed into service to bring the fire under control, a disaster management team assessed the possibility of people trapped inside.
As a precaution, the nearby buildings were evacuated and gas cylinders were taken out of the restaurant by the firemen.
Fire and Emergency Services Minister Sujit Basu reached the spot. He told reporters that a thorough investigation into the cause of the incident would be undertaken, and issues like whether adequate fire-fighting capabilities were there and if the place had a valid licence.
The incident reminded some of a devastating fire on Park Street. In 2010, the upper floors of Stephen Court caught fire, resulting in 40 deaths and scores of injuries.
