A devastating fire tore through a multi-storey residential building in Kolkata’s Topsia area on Tuesday afternoon, leaving at least two people dead and several others seriously injured. The blaze, which rapidly spread through the building, trapped multiple residents inside and triggered a massive rescue operation by the fire brigade.
The incident took place at a five-storey building located at 50/1 G.J. Khan Road in Topsia. According to local sources, the fire reportedly broke out on the second floor before quickly engulfing parts of the structure, creating panic among residents.
Eyewitnesses said several people became trapped inside as thick smoke and flames blocked escape routes. Local residents alerted the fire department soon after noticing the blaze. Fire officials said they received the emergency call around 1:45 pm, following which multiple fire engines were rushed to the spot.
Rescue operations became extremely challenging due to the intensity of the flames and heavy smoke inside the building. Firefighters struggled for several minutes to reach those trapped on the upper floors. Eventually, multiple injured residents were evacuated in a severely burnt condition and rushed to Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital for treatment.
Doctors later confirmed the deaths of at least two people. Three others remain in critical condition and are currently undergoing treatment at the hospital. Officials fear the death toll could rise as some victims sustained extensive burn injuries.
The exact cause of the fire is still unknown. Fire department officials said their immediate priority was to bring the blaze under control and ensure the safe evacuation of residents. A detailed investigation into the source of the fire will begin once cooling operations are completed.
Police and disaster response teams also reached the area to assist in crowd control and rescue efforts. The incident caused chaos in the densely populated locality, with anxious residents gathering outside the building as rescue teams continued operations.
The tragedy has once again raised concerns over fire safety measures in residential buildings across Kolkata, especially in congested urban neighbourhoods where emergency access often becomes difficult during disasters.
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