‘Burrabazar fire losses amount to Rs 280 crore’

Express news service

Posted online: Tuesday, March 11, 2008 at 0047 hrs IST

Kolkata, March 10
January’s fire at Burrabazar has resulted in an estimated loss of Rs 280 crore.

Pratim Chatterjee, minister in charge of the fire and emergency services department, said on Monday the figure is in accordance with estimates made by shop-owners of the gutted markets.

Responding to a question raised in the state Assembly on the Burrabazar fire, Chatterjee said the fire has affected 724 shop owners. While the fire department has no account of the estimated loss suffered by the owner of the property and the shop owners, estimated figures were available with the businessmen.

According to their estimate, the Nandram Market incurred a loss of Rs 100 crore. The damage to goods in the Kashiram block was Rs 60 crore, while the tirpalpatti market suffered losses amounting to Rs 120 crore.

Chatterjee said the cause of the fire is unknown even now and only forensic tests can reveal the truth — whether the fire was accidental or engineered by vested interests. The minister also added that obstructions in the passage complicated the firemen’s job.

On yesterday’s fire at Tiljala, he said 700 to 800 people have been affected. Residents are claiming the fire started after an LPG cylinder exploded.

Meanwhile, a group of over 20 people representing the Youth Congress Committee, Burrabazar district, demonstrated in front of Gate 6 of the state Assembly. They alleged that traders at Nandram Market are still suffering.

“The occupants should be rehabilitated immediately and any plan to buy time should be greeted with strong protests,” the committee has said in a statement issued to the press.