A devastating fire ripped through a lodge on the top floor of a three storeyed building at Lenin Sarani today. Six engines were pressed into action to douse the flame. Hydraulic ladders were also brought, however, they were not used as the fire was brought under control within about an hour’s time.

The fierce fire, which broke out at around 6.00 p.m. caused panic in the neighbourhood. The sky at Lenin Sarani, which is in the heart of the city, was filled with clouds of black smoke billowing from the top floor of the building.

After a struggle of about one hour 15 minutes, the firemen were able to arrest the flames. After the fire broke out, a group of local youths plunged into action making their best efforts to save their means of livelihood. The shooting flames spread to the upper floors at a fast pace.

A team from the power department along with fire personnel immediately came to the spot and worked on war footing to prevent the shooting flames from spreading to the adjacent premises.

Initially, as the entire floor was engulfed by ravaging fire, the fire brigade personnel could not enter the building. It was only after an hour’s struggle that the fire fighting and the disaster management teams were able to get inside the building.

According to witnesses, being a Sunday, the building that houses a number of commercial units, was more or less empty. The three-storeyed building, according to the local traders. has shops selling hosiery items and jewellery, to name a few.

At the time the fire break out, there were around eight to ten people including guests and staff at the lodge who were immediately evacuated. No casualties or injuries were reported in the incident, according to Mr Sujit Bose, state minister for Fire and Emergency Services. “The blaze has been brought under control in the temporary structure that had caught fire.

We have asked the forensic department to check the causes of the fire. We will check if there was any fire fighting arrangements inside the hotel. Local MLA Mrs Nayna Bandopadhyay also visited the spot to take stock of the situation.