The devastating fire that tore through Park Centre, a commercial building near Park Street in central Kolkata, has once again highlighted the critical shortcomings in fire safety measures within the city’s growing commercial sectors. The fire, which broke out around 3:20 PM on Thursday, spread quickly through the building’s upper floors, injuring several and causing significant damage to businesses housed in the complex. As investigations continue, one thing is clear: Kolkata’s rapid commercial expansion has far outpaced its ability to ensure adequate safety protocols.
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According to eyewitnesses and fire department reports, the fire started on the rooftop of the building, which housed an illegal restaurant under renovation. The structure, located in the heart of the city, had previously undergone multiple unapproved renovations, which included the addition of a rooftop eatery. It was later revealed that these renovations were carried out without proper fire clearance or notification to the fire department.
The fire spread rapidly, engulfing the upper floors within minutes. Thick black smoke poured from the building, forcing workers to flee, while emergency services scrambled to bring the blaze under control. Firefighters struggled to reach the upper levels due to blocked access routes and inadequate fire exits. It took nearly four hours to bring the fire under control, and over 12 people were hospitalized for smoke inhalation and minor burns.
“It was a nightmare. We never thought something like this could happen so suddenly,” said a local business owner, still in shock. “I lost most of my inventory, and the damage to my store is irreparable.”
The cause of the fire is believed to be faulty electrical wiring combined with flammable materials used during the restaurant’s renovation, but investigators are still piecing together the exact timeline of events. The building’s lack of proper fire safety measures—such as fire extinguishers, emergency lighting, and proper exits—has led to widespread criticism of both the building’s management and the local authorities.
A City Unprepared for Growth
Kolkata’s commercial hub has grown significantly over the past decade, with new businesses, offices, and restaurants springing up in older buildings that were never designed for modern-day commercial use. Many of these buildings, including Park Centre, are old, with outdated infrastructure that does not meet modern safety standards. The lack of adequate fire safety features, combined with unchecked renovations and illegal alterations, has created a ticking time bomb for the city’s business districts.
Experts point out that while the city’s business landscape has evolved, the safety regulations in place have not kept up. “Kolkata’s commercial real estate sector has expanded rapidly, but safety standards have not kept pace,” said Rina Sharma, an urban safety expert. “There’s a significant gap between what the city needs in terms of fire safety and what is currently being implemented.”
According to a recent survey by the Kolkata Fire and Emergency Services Department, nearly 40% of commercial buildings in the city are non-compliant with fire safety regulations. Many of these buildings have expired fire licenses or are operating without any safety certification at all. These buildings often house a mix of office spaces, retail outlets, restaurants, and even makeshift guest houses—each with unique safety needs, but none equipped with the basic infrastructure to prevent a disaster.
The Regulatory Oversight
The regulatory framework governing fire safety in Kolkata is robust on paper, but it is poorly enforced. Building owners are required to submit fire safety certificates to the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) and the Fire and Emergency Services Department before opening their businesses to the public. However, inspections are infrequent, and violations often go unnoticed or unaddressed.
In the case of Park Centre, building management had failed to renew their fire safety certificate for over a year, and no inspections had taken place since then. The building’s rooftop renovations, which included the unlicensed restaurant, were carried out without notifying the relevant authorities, allowing dangerous alterations to be made without regard to safety regulations.
“This incident highlights the deep-rooted issues of negligence within the system,” said Sudhir Chowdhury, a fire safety consultant. “It’s not just about one building; it’s a larger issue affecting numerous buildings across Kolkata. The authorities must take immediate action to curb such violations before the next fire turns into a tragedy.”
The Role of the Local Government
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) and other regulatory bodies have come under fire for their failure to properly monitor and enforce fire safety regulations. While the city has made strides in certain areas, such as traffic management and sanitation, it has lagged behind in addressing the risks posed by commercial buildings that were not built with modern safety standards in mind.
In the aftermath of the Park Centre fire, KMC officials have vowed to conduct a thorough inspection of all commercial buildings in the area and ensure that they meet fire safety standards. The fire department has also promised to ramp up its inspection process, focusing on buildings that have not received fire clearances or have been renovated without proper authorization.
However, skeptics argue that these promises are often short-lived. “There is a history of investigations that lead nowhere,” said civic activist Surajit Dey. “The government makes statements, conducts inspections, but the real issue—accountability—is never addressed. We need stricter laws and real consequences for those who flout safety regulations.”
The Business Impact
For many of the small businesses operating out of Park Centre, the fire has caused devastating financial losses. The building housed several IT startups, boutique clothing stores, and financial consulting firms—many of whom had to shut their doors following the fire. Some businesses are expected to remain closed for months as they try to recover from the damage.
“The loss of data, inventory, and documents is catastrophic,” said Arvind Mishra, the owner of a boutique clothing store. “We didn’t just lose physical goods; we lost months of work and customer trust.”
The fire has raised significant concerns among other small business owners in the area, many of whom are now questioning the safety of their own buildings. “What will happen to my store if something like this happens again?” asked Sumita Raghunathan, a local entrepreneur. “There are no safety measures, and nobody seems to care until disaster strikes.”
A Call for Systemic Change
The Park Centre fire serves as a stark reminder of the need for comprehensive reform in Kolkata’s approach to urban safety. While the city continues to grow, it must also prioritize the safety of its residents and business owners. Experts argue that a more proactive approach is needed, one that focuses not just on enforcement but also on public education and awareness.
Building owners and tenants must be educated about fire safety, and there needs to be more transparency in how fire safety regulations are applied. Moreover, the city’s fire departments must be adequately staffed and equipped to handle the growing number of inspections required in commercial zones.
“It’s not enough to react after a disaster,” said fire safety advocate Priyanka Chatterjee. “We need to prevent these incidents from happening in the first place. That requires investment in fire safety infrastructure, better coordination between civic bodies, and a commitment to upholding regulations.”
Conclusion: A City at a Crossroads
The Park Street fire is a sobering reminder that, while Kolkata continues to expand and modernize, its commitment to safety lags far behind. As the city plans for a brighter future, it must ensure that the growth of its commercial areas does not come at the expense of public safety. The time to act is now—before another fire brings the city to a standstill.
