Kolkata: 2 dead, 20 shanties gutted in major fire, hundreds left homeless

A major fire broke out in Kolkata's Patipukur in the wee hours of Saturday morning, leaving two dead and one injured. As many as 20 shanties of the Subhas Colony adjacent to the rail line were gutted in the fire, leaving hundreds homeless.

The two deceased have been identified as Priya Adhikari and Nimai Adhikari. Priya was to appear for her class 10 board exams next year.  The injured person has been rushed to the hospital and continues to be in critical condition.

The fire broke out around 2.45 am and 16 fire tenders were pressed into service. The fire was doused around 5 am and the cooling process was initiated to find pocket fires, if any.

Sources in the Fire and Emergency Services Department reveal that the cause of the fire was a cylinder blast. Immediately after the blast, the fire spread rapidly to the other shanties and reduced them to ashes.

Kolkata: Two dead, more than 12 shanties gutted in fire that broke out in early morning hours in Patipukur after a cylinder blast. pic.twitter.com/gKWwRbDFmF

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The state administration has arranged for rehabilitation of those rendered homeless at two nearby schools. "Till the time we decide on a proper rehabilitation and compensation, we are going to shift all those whose shanties have been gutted to two nearby schools. They will stay there till they get an alternative place to reside," said Shantanu Sen, a local councillor.

In another incident, another fire broke out on Saturday morning at a hosiery factory in Hatibagan. As many as eleven fire tenders were rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control.