Godown fire on after six hours

The fire that broke out in a metal powder godown at Taratala in the the city is still raging though firefighters have been on their job for nearly six hours.

A fire brigade official said ten fire engines are being used to fight the blaze that broke out at 9.53 am.

Though there is no report of injury to anyone in the blaze that engulfed the godown at 151, Transport Depot Road in the south western part of the city, balls of fire are seen rising out of the building from a distance.

The police have cordoned off the area for safety reasons and buildings in the vicinity are being sprayed with water to prevent the spread of fire.

State Fire department minister Sovan Chatterjee, who was present at the site to monitor the dousing operation, said "I will ask the police commissioner and Director General of Fire Services to find out which chemical and metal substances were stored in the godown and whether the owner has the requisite license.

"We will also find out whether any safety and fire fighting equipment were there at the godown and if not, we will file an FIR against the owner," Chatterjee, who is also the mayor of Kolkata, said.