Shopping mall blaze in Kolkata yet to be doused after 12 hours

A major fire broke out in a shopping mall in central Kolkata on Sunday, and was yet to be completely doused even after 12 hours of efforts by firefighters. However, there was no casualty.

As many as 27 fire tenders were rushed to the spot to control the blaze that was first noticed at 11.45 a.m. on the third floor of the building where clothing was stacked, officials said.

People who were inside the mall when the fire started were evacuated, said state Disaster Management Minister Javed Khan.

"The fire is now under control. The major part has been put out. But there are some pockets where the fire has to be tackled. The fire fight will continue till it is completely douses," he said.

A fire brigade official said the fire fighters will work through the need. "They will see to it there are no burning embers in the debris, as such embers can restart a fresh fire."

Kolkata Mayor Sovan Chatterjee, city Police Commissioner Surojit Kar Purokayastha were among those who came to the spot to supervise the fire-fighting operations.