Kolkata
Senior Fire Officer Suspended Over Alleged Lapses
A senior official of the West Bengal Fire and Emergency Services has been suspended following the fatal fire at an illegal leather factory in Kolkata’s Tiljala area that killed two people. Authorities have also continued demolition work at the structure amid allegations of safety and supervision lapses.
A senior fire department official has been suspended in connection with the devastating fire at a leather factory in Tiljala that claimed two lives, officials said on Thursday.
The West Bengal Fire and Emergency Services suspended Gautam Das, the station officer-in-charge of the Pragati Maidan Fire Station, on allegations of gross negligence and inadequate supervision during firefighting operations at the site.
According to officials, the suspension followed preliminary findings indicating possible lapses in handling the emergency response during the incident. A notification issued by the Director General of Fire and Emergency Services stated that disciplinary proceedings had been initiated against the officer.
Meanwhile, civic authorities continued demolition work at the structure that housed the leather factory. Officials said the building was allegedly an illegal construction and concerns had been raised regarding safety compliance and operational permissions.
The blaze in the Tiljala area resulted in the deaths of two individuals and triggered a major firefighting operation. Investigators are examining the circumstances that led to the fire, including whether violations of fire safety norms or unauthorized structural modifications contributed to the tragedy.
Authorities are also reviewing the emergency response mechanism and coordination during the firefighting efforts. The incident has once again highlighted concerns over illegal industrial units operating in densely populated urban areas without adequate fire safety measures.
Further investigation into the cause of the fire and accountability for safety violations is currently underway.