6 firemen hurt while dousing flames

As many as 12 persons, including six fire personnel, were injured while dousing the flames in a chemical go-down on Portugese Church Street in Burrabazar area on Wednesday morning.

The injured persons were admitted to Calcutta Medical College and Hospital. Altogether 10 fire tenders were pressed into action to douse the flame.

Local residents spotted smoke billowing out of the chemical godown on Wednesday morning and it soon spread to other adjacent buildings. The locals took part in the rescue operation but failed to enter the store. They said the flames soon spread as the explosive materials stored inside the go-down exploded.

Locals spotted fire at around 9.30 am and informed the matter to the fire brigade. There were several explosions till the fire tenders managed to bring the situation under control. The firefighters sprinkled water from the adjacent building. As the chemical store was situated in a congested area, it became difficult for the fire tenders to reach the spot. The fire fighters took some time to reach the source of the fire as thick black smoke engulfed the entire area. Around six fire persons received injures while dousing the flame. The firefighters restricted the flames from spreading further. The owner of the godown and some locals reportedly received injuries while taking part in the rescue operation.

Senior police officers also reached the spot after the fire broke out. They cordoned off the entire area and restricted movement of traffic on the road. The fire department officials said the fire broke out at the chemical godown when the shutter was down and it soon spread as there were huge amount of explosive materials stored up.

According to preliminary investigation, police and fire brigade officials suspect that an electrical short circuit might have caused the fire. The godown was completely gutted in the fire and materials stocked inside it were destroyed.

Police and fire brigade personnel have begun a probe if the godown had adequate firefighting equipment and if it had proper fire licenses.

The exact cause of the fire and the extent of damage are yet to be ascertained.