The officer-in-charge of Pragati Maidan fire station in Kolkata, West Bengal, has been suspended following a fire incident in the Tiljala area. The state’s DG of Fire and Emergency Services issued a notification announcing the suspension of Gautam Das for dereliction of duty. Allegations of serious negligence in monitoring and enforcing fire safety laws at the fire station have led to this action.
The notification also calls for an immediate suspension of Das and the initiation of a departmental inquiry. The investigation is expected to be completed within a month. During his suspension, Das will be required to remain at the fire department headquarters and cannot leave without authorization from the authorities.
A fire broke out in a leather factory on GJ Khan Road in Topsia, trapping five individuals. Despite prompt notification to the fire department, the intensity of the fire made rescue operations challenging. Firefighters managed to rescue all individuals, but two were declared dead upon arrival at Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital.
In response to the incident, the illegal factory was demolished within 30 hours of the fire, following orders from Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. An inquiry committee has been established to investigate the cause of the accident, revealing the factory’s lack of proper building plans and fire safety measures. The owner of the factory, Zafar Nishar, has been arrested in connection with the fire.
