Fire Breaks Out at District Council Office in Alipore, Sparks Panic
IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Kolkata, June 10: Government office building in Alipore on Wednesday morning, triggering panic among employees and local residents. Thick black smoke was seen billowing out from the multi-storey office of the South 24 Parganas Zilla Parishad, prompting an immediate emergency response from the fire department.
Local residents first noticed dense smoke emerging from the building at around 9:45 a.m. Alarmed by the situation, they quickly informed the fire services. Within a short time, at least ten fire engines were rushed to the spot to bring the blaze under control and prevent it from spreading further through the government complex.
Fire department officials stated that no one is believed to be trapped inside the building, providing some relief amid fears that employees could have been stranded due to the rapidly spreading smoke. Rescue and firefighting operations were launched immediately upon arrival, with firefighters entering the building to assess the situation and contain the flames.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire may have originated due to a short circuit in an air-conditioning unit. The suspected source of the blaze has been traced to the fourth floor of the building. From there, the fire reportedly spread quickly to the fifth and sixth floors, resulting in heavy smoke and visible damage to parts of the structure.
The incident occurred on a working day, several employees had already begun arriving at the office when the fire broke out. The sudden appearance of smoke and emergency vehicles created panic in the area, with officials and staff members being moved to safety as a precautionary measure.
The premises while firefighting efforts continue. Senior administrative officials and disaster management personnel are closely monitoring the situation. The extent of the damage to government records, office infrastructure, and equipment has not yet been determined.
Officials have emphasized that the exact cause of the fire is still under investigation. A detailed inquiry will be conducted once the blaze is completely extinguished and the affected sections of the building are declared safe for inspection.
The incident has once again raised concerns about fire safety measures in government buildings, particularly regarding electrical systems and emergency preparedness. Further details are expected to emerge as firefighters continue their operations and investigators examine the circumstances surrounding the outbreak of the fire.
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