Kolkata: Massive Fire Engulfs Narkeldanga Slum, Guts Over 60 Shanties; One Dead, Several Injured

Kolkata: Massive fire engulfed several shanties on the wee hours of Sunday in Narkeldanga area in north Kolkata leaving one dead and few injured.

According to local people, more than 60 out of 120 shanties were gutted to the ground and several people were seen sitting on the ground after losing all their belongings including valuables.

While other residents managed to run out of their slums when the fire engulfed the shanties, Habibulla Mollar, who was said to be sleeping in a godown where he worked, was killed in the fire and could not be taken out as the door of the godown was locked from inside. His charred body was taken out after the fire was doused.

Several residents were seen crying as the admit cards of their children sitting for board examinations also got burnt.

The locals were seen agitating in front of the nearby police station and also in front of the local councillor Sachin Singh and alleged that many huts could have been saved had the fire tenders come on time. The locals also claimed that the fire tenders came at least an hour after the fire started spreading.

Kolkata Municipal Corporation Mayor Firhad Hakim visited the spot and interacted with locals and assured all help to the affected people and compensation to the deceased's family as per law.

Local councillor Sachin Singh urged the people not to get into anyone’s ‘ignition’ as they were not stopping chanting slogans and agitation.