Synopsis
Kolkata's alarming history of fire tragedies highlights severe negligence and inadequate safety measures. From hospital blazes to market fires, this city must confront its challenges to prevent future loss of life. Discover the details of recent incidents and learn why urgent reforms are essential for the safety of its citizens.Key Takeaways
- Kolkata has a troubling history of fire incidents.
- Common causes include negligence and illegal constructions.
- Recent fires have claimed numerous lives.
- There is a pressing need for improved fire safety measures.
- Authorities must enforce regulations to prevent future tragedies.
Kolkata, April 30 (NationPress) The city has witnessed a troubling history of major fire incidents resulting from negligence in important structures, with numerous lives lost. The most recent tragedy occurred at a six-storey hotel on Madan Mohan Burman Street in central Kolkata, where a fire erupted on Tuesday night, claiming the lives of 14 individuals as of Wednesday morning.
Common aspects of these deadly fire events have included gross negligence, illegal constructions, insufficient fire safety measures, and the failure of authorities to enforce essential safety protocols.
The most catastrophic incident occurred on December 9, 2011, when a disastrous fire erupted in the early hours at the privately-owned AMRI Hospital located in Dhakuria, South Kolkata, resulting in the deaths of 89 people. The blaze was triggered by a short circuit and was exacerbated by the illegal accumulation of flammable materials in the hospital's basement.
Following this tragedy, the police detained several hospital directors on charges of negligence.
Earlier, on March 23, 2010, during the tenure of Late Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, then Chief Minister, a significant fire broke out at the Stephen Court Building on Park Street in Central Kolkata, which housed numerous important offices.
This incident resulted in 43 fatalities, with several victims jumping from the building in a frantic effort to escape the flames. An investigation by the government revealed that illegal construction of two additional floors and inadequate fire-fighting equipment were key factors that allowed the fire to spiral out of control.
On February 27, 2013, a fire in a five-storey market complex on Surya Sen Street in central Kolkata resulted in the deaths of 19 individuals. Subsequent inquiries revealed that the market was operating illegally without a fire license. Most casualties were shopkeepers and laborers who were staying overnight in the market.
Then, on March 8, 2021, a devastating fire on Strand Road in central Kolkata claimed the lives of nine people during a busy afternoon. Tragically, most victims were firefighters who perished while attempting to extinguish the blaze. The building housed railway offices and a ticket counter, and serious concerns regarding inadequate fire safety measures were raised.
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