The West Bengal government has ordered the demolition of an illegal factory in Tiljala where a fire broke out on Tuesday which claimed two lives.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday said that a committee comprising officials from four departments had found serious violations at the premises, including the absence of an approved building plan and a failure to meet essential fire and electrical safety standards.
“After reviewing the findings we have found that the factory was being operated completely illegally. Several lapses in terms of fire safety have been found at the building. There was no requisite clearance taken from the fire department. The factory did not even have a trade licence,” Adhikari said.
Police have arrested the factory owner along with another individual in connection with the incident, the chief minister confirmed.
The state government has also announced a wider crackdown on illegal industrial units in Tiljala, Kasba and neighbouring areas. Adhikari said power utility CESC Limited had been instructed to permanently disconnect electricity supply to factories functioning without authorised building plans.
He further stated that the Kolkata Municipal Corporation had been directed to stop the water supply to the factory and complete demolition of the structure within 24 hours.
Declaring a policy of “zero tolerance” towards illegal activities and corruption, the chief minister warned that strict action would continue against unauthorised factories operating across the city.
The fire in Tiljala broke out at around 1.45pm on Tuesday on the first floor of the building, which was reportedly being used as a leather warehouse.
Two people had died in the fire, while three others suffered burn injuries and were taken for treatment.
“The victims had died due to suffocation after they locked themselves inside a bathroom thinking it would offer them protection from the fire and smoke,” a senior Kolkata police officer said.
The five-storey building in Tiljala’s GJ Khan Road had manufacturing units on the second and third floors, while the top floor had the owner’s residence, according to local residents. The ground floor was a garage, residents of the area said.