Fire guts Presidency University canteen, none injured

Kolkata: Fire broke out in the canteen of the Presidency University on Monday during the hosting of the institution’s bicentenary celebrations. There was no report of any injury or casualty, fire brigade officials said.

President Pranab Mukherjee and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh are scheduled to attend the Founders’ Day programme on January 20 at Derozio Hall in the campus where the fire broke out on Monday.

Flames were spotted in the canteen at around 6:15 am and the fire brigade was informed. Six fire engines were pressed into service to douse the flames, which completely destroyed the canteen, officials said, adding that the exact cause of the fire remains unknown. “The fire has been doused completely. The situation is under control now,” university registrar Debojyoti Konar said.

On September 9 last year, the central library of the university was partially destroyed in a similar incident. Both the Physics and Chemistry laboratories of the university had been destroyed in fire incidents in the past.

The university recently undertook renovation work for its bicentenary celebrations, and erected a new, bigger main gate to allow easy access for fire brigade engines inside the campus.