Kolkata: Nine people died due to a massive fire in the 13th floor of a building in Kolkata. 4 firefighters are also among those who died. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the families of each deceased.
According to the information, the fire was started in the New Kolaghat Building. A police officer and a railway security force personnel are also among the dead. This building is on Strand Road, Kolkata. Five of the 9 corpses were found on the elevator of the building. At least 25 fire engines were installed to extinguish the fire.
Top police officers and fire personnel have started rescue operations on a war footing. Some ministers have also reached the spot. Minister of Bengal Government Firhad Hakim also reached the spot. Sujit Bose, chief of the Fire and Emergency Service in the West Bengal government, said the fire was on the 13th floor, that he believed it was difficult to carry the ladder to that floor of the building due to the narrow space. Although how firefighters got engulfed in the midst of the fire, nothing has been known yet.
