Not sure when screening will start at Priya Cinema: Owner

The owner of Priya Cinema, where a fire had broken out during the night show on August 6, today said he was not sure when screenings would resume at the theatre as the fire department has given a lot of conditions to fulfill for obtain the no-objection certificate to resume show.

Some of the conditions involve alterations in the layout of the auditorium and surrounding areas, Priya Cinema owner Arijit Dutta said.

The fire department had sent a letter to the owner of the hall recommending certain changes in the seat arrangement, exit-entry gates, lay out in the building and the surrounding area.

"We are not sure when all these changes can be incorporated and we can finally throw open the theatre for the public," he said.

Fire Services Minister Sovan Chatterjee earlier said the government would take every step to ensure safety of the audience and those visiting the restaurants functioning on the ground floor of the theatre, he had stated.

The fire originated from a food stall located on the ground floor and the main theatre was not affected as the employees managed to evacuate the audience immediately after the incident, Dutta had said earlier.

The fire had broken out at the theatre in Deshapriya Park area of south Kolkata during a show of a Bengali film on August 5 at around 10:15 pm.

Cinemagoers had managed to exit after smoke filled the auditorium in the middle of the show. Four members of Dutta's family and a staff member were trapped on the roof, but were evacuated safely by fire brigade personnel