Fire at Bagree Market still rages after 36 hrs

Kolkata: Bagree Market continues to burn even though 36 hours have passed since the devastating fire broke out at the six-storeyed commercial building at Canning Street in Burrabazar.

 On Monday Kolkata Mayor and state fire and emergency services minister Sovan Chatterjee inspected the spot again as the fire brigade and disaster management group personnel battled the blaze. He however failed to state when the blaze would come under control.

Mr Chatterjee said, “I went inside to have a look. There are six blocks in Bagree Market. The fire broke out at A Block on its front side. Flames then started going up. It engulfed the upper floors till the sixth. There is a possibility that the fire could spread to other areas. But an entry was made through the rear gate by the fire brigade personnel who were able to diffuse the flames to a large extent.”

Asked about when the fire could be brought under control Mr Chatterjee added, “As a long time has passed, making any comment on the time will not be suitable. Different people are giving different versions to the police. Once the fire is doused, it will be investigated and steps will be takem. So far no FIR has been lodged. Since various types of combustible items like nail polish, perfumes and plastics were stored, it has become difficult to douse the fire completely.”

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee who is at Frankfurt in Germany told the media, “A lot of combustible items have been stored there. Even the bathroom has been sold out. Someone has to understand this. Why will someone block the way of even a fire engine to make profit in business? This can not be called business. It is hoolganism. I am in favour of the businessmen and traders. But why will such an incident take place?”

State urban development minister Firhad Hakim faced the fury of the traders and local residents on Monday when he visited the area to take stock of the situation. Surrounded by the angry businessmen and locals he had a tough time to reply their volley of questions.

“We will look into it, You lodge a complaint at the local police station. I will ask the officer in charge to take it up,” Mr Hakim was heard telling them while trying to pacify them.

Kolkata police commissioner Rajeev Kumar also inspected the spot. Meanwhile a group of ministers’ meeting was held at the state secretariat: Nabanna to tackle the disaster.

A preliminary report by the police and fire department revealed that most of the businessmen did not have trade licences and there was no fire safety measure in place at the commercial building.

Questionning the state government’s role CPI(M) MLA Sujan Chakraborty alleged, “When late Jyoti Basu used to go abroad as the chief minister, Binay Krishna Chaudhuri used to play his role. When Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee went abroad, Mohammed Amin was entrusted for his role. But who is acting as the chief minister now?”