KOLKATA, March 23 � Six persons were killed and 20 others injured in a devastating fire that swept through a 150-year-old multi-storeyed building housing offices and residences on upscale Park Street today.
The fire broke out at 2:15 pm, but there was confusion on which floor of the six-storey building, Stephen Court, it broke out with panic gripping those trapped inside.
The toll could rise, Fire Services minister Pratim Chatterjee said.
The Stephen Court, located in the heart of the city, houses the iconic 100-year-old Flury�s confectionery house and a large music store called Music World and several other offices.
Of the six casualties, a man, identified as Sourav Barik leapt to his death, while a woman Richa Krishnan fell when she lost her grip while being evacuated by firemen with the help of a rope.
Three others - Pradip Chokhalia, Vivek Upadhyay and Bikash Agarwala - died of burns in hospital, Home Secretary Ardhendu Sen told reporters.
The blaze could not be brought under control till 8 PM, he said.
Commissioner of Kolkata Police Gautam Chakraborty, however, said the blaze on the third and fourth floors were under control, while firemen failed to establish contact with employees of a firm, Microsystems, in the building.
A 70-metre ladder, the world�s second tallest, was used to rescue the trapped people, while eight bowzers and 45 fire engines were deployed, Chatterjee said.
Thick smoke and flames engulfed the building as some of the people trapped in the building came out on ledges driven by the flames inside.
The wooden staircase of the building went up in flames and parts of the building crumbled as around 300 firemen fought the blaze with 40 tenders and snorkel ladders, the Fire Services minister said.
�It�s an old building and its fire-resistance capacity is not known. I can�t say if the building can be saved considering the degree of devastation,� he said.
Chatterjee said that fire-fighters were rescuing the trapped persons one by one. He said there was no lack of water to fight the fire.
Railway minister Mamata Banerjee said, �I spoke to the Defence ministry for sending the army. The Defence ministry has issued instructions to send the army.
�The West Bengal government should have sought the help of the army, but I don�t know why they have not done it,� she told reporters at the scene of the fire.
West Governor M K Narayanan visited the spot.
Forensic experts will examine the site tomorrow. � PTI