State issues notice to Kolkata Metro for inadequate fire safety measures

A day after at least 40 passengers were injured in a Kolkata metro fire, West Bengal Fire Services department on Friday issued a notice to the metro authority for lack of fire safety measures, a senior official of the state fire department said.

"We have issued a notice to the Kolkata Metro authority as per Section 35 of the West Bengal Fire services Act, 1950, as the fire safety measures in the rake and metro premises were found inadequate after inspection," said (DG) of West Bengal Fire and Emergency Services Jag Mohan.

The Act says in case of any deviation, contravention from the required fire prevention and fire safety measures in a premises used by public, the owner or occupier of the building needs to address the issues as directed by the fire department within specified time.

At least 40 people were injured after an air-conditioned rake of a metro train in Kolkata caught fire on Thursday evening disrupting metro services partially for four hours.

Five passengers were admitted to city's SSKM Hospital with respiratory problems while another person suffered a fracture in his leg while trying to force his way out of a window in the rake.

The Kolkata Metro has formed a three-member investigation committee and asked it to submit a detailed report within 10 days, a metro official said.

--IANS

mgr/prs