Kolkata, Oct. 30 -- Panic gripped the residents of South City, one of Kolkata's most prominent high-rise residential complexes on Prince Anwar Shah Road, after a fire broke out in one of the towers on Friday morning.
Prompt action by the fire fighters and the activation of internal safety mechanisms doused the flames within an hour.
According to sources, the blaze was first detected around 9 am on the 27th floor of Tower 3. Thick plumes of black smoke were seen billowing from a flat window, triggering immediate panic among the other occupants of the said tower. Upon receiving the emergency call, seven fire tenders were pressed into action. A team from the Jadavpur Police Station also rushed to the spot to launch a coordinated firefighting operation. As a standard safety protocol, power lines to the building were immediately disconnected leading to suspension of the elevator services.
Unavailability of lift services, hundreds of residents, including senior citizens and children had to evacuate the high-rise via the emergency staircases. The internal fire hydrant and safety systems within the complex were operational and played a key role in preventing the flames from spreading to adjacent apartments. Firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control within an hour, followed by a rigorous cooling down operation to eliminate residual pocket fires for about an hour more. Preliminary investigations suggest that an electrical short circuit may have sparked the blaze. A detailed inquiry has been initiated to ascertain the exact cause and the extent of the damage.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.