Fire at Behala factory and slum at Dakshinewar

Kolkata: A major fire broke out at a chemical factory in Behala on Sunday evening. The fire could not be controlled till last reports came in.

According to local residents, on Sunday around 7 pm, fire broke out at a chemical factory at 18/14, Chanditala Main Road in Behala. Fire brigade and police were immediately informed. Initially five fire tenders were pressed into action. Later, six more fire tenders were sent as the fire was uncontrollably spreading fast.

Local residents were panic stricken as the area was residential.

Two warehouse filled with LPG cylinders are located close to the factory, fire

fighters feared the consequences if the fire reached the warehouses.

Director General (DG) of fire brigade Jag Mohan rushed to the spot. He said: "Necessary action has been taken. As the factory was filled with inflammable materials, we used foam to douse the fire. Soon, it will be controlled. Since a pond is nearby, sufficient water is available." Residents alleged that a few years ago fire broke out at the same factory.

But the authority did not learn any lesson from the previous occasion. Sources informed that the fire officials would check whether the factory

had all necessary permissions and licenses from civic authorities and fire brigade after the fire is doused completely.

In another incident, massive fire broke out at a slum at Dakshineswar on Saturday night around 8:30 pm.

Ten fire tenders doused the fire within a few hours. At least 50 huts reduced to ashes due to the impact of the fire. None suffered injuries in the incident.

Fire minister Sujit Bose went to the spot on Saturday night to assess the situation.

Later he said: "It is very fortunate that no one is injured." Apart from Bose, Trinamool leaders Sougata Roy and Madan Mitra also visited the spot.