Kolkata: As many as 20 shanties were gutted in a fire that broke out in Duttabad slum in Salt Lake on Sunday morning. No casualty has been reported so far.
According to police, the fire broke out at around 8.55 a.m. on Sunday. Locals spotted smoke billowing out of the shanties. Some locals started the rescue operation and evacuated the shanties. Police reached the spot after the incident and cordoned off the entire area. The incident had spread panic among some people in the area. After being informed around three fire tenders were pressed into action to douse the flames.
The fire personnel detected the source of the fire and brought the situation under control within an hour. The fire officials are yet to ascertain the exact cause of the fire and the extent of the damage.
According to the preliminary investigation, the fire officials suspect the fire broke out after a gas cylinder exploded. They are looking into all possible reasons which triggered the incident.
Sujit Bose, who has been newly appointed as the minister of the state Fire and Emergency Services department, rushed to the spot and spoke to people.
"We are preparing a list of affected families and they will be compensated. Locals quickly evacuated the shanties and took part in the rescue operation. As a result no injuries have taken place," Bose said.