Kolkata, February 15 – A fire broke out in a luxury residence in the Tollygunge area of South Kolkata on Sunday afternoon, causing several prominent figures from the West Bengal film industry, who resided there, to come out onto the street below.
However, no injuries were reported in the incident, which engulfed the multi-story building in black smoke.
The fire originated in Tower 2 of Diamond City Residence, where several stars, including the film couple Yash and Nusrat, actress and Trinamool Congress MLA Sayantika Banerjee, have flats.
It was learned that Yash and Nusrat came down with their children in a panic. Residents have been evacuated to a safe location.
Four fire engines were deployed after receiving the news.
Reports indicated that the fire started on the fifth floor. However, no one was in the room where the fire originated. Initial estimates suggest that the fire was caused by a short circuit. The police and fire brigade were immediately informed and the situation was brought under control.
While no one was injured in the incident, there are concerns about potential damage or loss of property. There are fears that if the fire had not been contained in time, it could have spread and caused a more serious accident.
The incident has caused panic among local residents.
When contacted, Banerjee said: "I heard about the fire in the residential building. However, I was not there at that time. I have come to the camp in Baranagar. I am fine."
Director Shubhrajit Mitra, who also lives in that building, gave a detailed account of the incident.
"I heard that a Shivaratri puja was being held in the temple of a resident of the fifth-floor house. They lit a lamp and performed an aarti. Without extinguishing the lamp, they came down, saying that they would perform the Shiva puja in the residence's temple. In their absence, the fire probably started from the lamp in the house."
"I live on the 18th floor. My mother is sick at home. It took me a while to get down with her. Because the lift was closed. At that moment, I saw the rest of the residents of the building running down the stairs," Mitra added.
The flat of the actor couple Yash and Nusrat is on the floor above the one where the fire broke out. Fearing for their lives, they immediately came down with their two children.
Two days ago, a fire broke out in the Globcine Crystal Building in Salt Lake Sector Five. A female employee of a multinational organization fell ill due to the smoke. She was rescued and taken to the hospital.