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Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday visited the Burrabazar area in central Kolkata to inspect a fire ravaged hotel that claimed 14 lives.
After inspecting the spot, Mamata announces that a team will be made to probe the incident.
“Those who are responsible for the incident will not be spared. Teams will make surprise visits to private and commercial places and anyone including the owner and also those in the administration responsible for oversight and handing operational NOCs to premises with inadequate fire safety will also come under the purview of punishment,” said Mamata.
Flanked by Commissioner of Kolkata Police Manoj Verma, Fire and Emergency service Minister Sujit Bose and Child and Women Development Minister Shashi Panja, Mamata mentioned that 90 people could be saved from the devastating fire.
“This hotel has been in operation since 1989. It’s an old property and its hydrants were dry. People died not because of burns, but by the smoke they inhaled,” mentioned the West Bengal Chief Minister.
Mamata also asked residents of dilapidated buildings near the hotel to relocate to a safer place and to renovate the buildings.
Meanwhile, one of the hotel owners and manager got arrested.
After Burrabazar, Mamata made a sudden surprise visit to Magma House in the Park Street area.
After inspecting the building Mamata asks people not to play with fire.
“The roof of the building has been closed and a restaurant has been opened. The committees should adhere to all safety norms. There is only one staircase. It’s easy to light a fire but dousing it is much more difficult. Do not play with fire. All should follow norms so that no life is further lost,” further stated Mamata.
According to sources, six restaurants in Magma house got closed as they didn’t adhere to safety norms. The owners said that they will sit for a meeting with the officials and will follow the advice which will be given to them.
However, the opposition blamed the ruling party for the fire in a hotel at Burrabazar area.
(Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)
