13 injured firefighters get Rs 1 lakh each as 'grant of relief'

Following the direction of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, state Fire minister Sovan Chatterjee on Friday announced a "grant of relief" of Rs 1 lakh to each of the firefighters who received burn injuries while dousing a major fire which broke out in a godown of a garment shop at Burrabazar. The fire which broke out on Wednesday started spreading fast as the godown was packed with inflammable goods. The flames also threatened to spread further with repeated explosions inside the godown. The firefighters risked their lives and extinguished the fire. While doing so, thirteen of them received burn injuries. They then underwent treatment at the Calcutta Medical College and Hospital. As soon as the Chief Minister received the news, she directed Chatterjee to give them a grant of Rs 1 lakh each. Chatterjee announced the grant on Friday and assured all necessary support.