A fire that erupted in a residential apartment in the Natural View housing complex in Ultadanga, Kolkata, is suspected to have been ignited by firecrackers shortly after midnight on Thursday. The blaze resulted in an explosion that severely injured Mukesh Balasia, a 40-year-old chartered accountant.
Residents were attending the Kali puja pandal when they noticed flames emanating from a 12th-floor flat. Balasia, who was also at the pandal with his wife and seven-year-old daughter, rushed back to the apartment to rescue his mother. Eyewitnesses reported that a gas cylinder likely exploded as he entered the flat.
Fortunately, Balasia’s mother had managed to exit the apartment before the explosion occurred. Eyewitness Sutapa Banerjee, president of the residents’ welfare association, described how flames intensified following the explosion, creating a large fireball that engulfed Balasia. He was taken to SSKM Hospital for treatment.
Kolkata Police indicated that the fire likely originated from a heap of garments on the balcony, where an LPG cylinder was stored. State fire minister Sujit Bose suggested that either a lamp or remnants of a firecracker could have sparked the blaze. A forensic examination is underway to determine the exact cause.
Despite the chaos, Balasia managed to walk down the stairs and sought medical attention once he reached the ground floor. Residents noted that Balasia was responsive and communicated with family members on Friday.
Local councillor Anindya Kishore Routh confirmed that the fire-fighting system in the complex failed to operate effectively, despite a recent maintenance check. Firefighters arrived shortly after the fire broke out at 1 a.m. and managed to extinguish it by 3:40 a.m., using three fire tenders.
As investigations continue, authorities are focusing on the potential link between the fire and the use of firecrackers during Diwali festivities.
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