Five killed in Kolkata building fire, toll may rise

Five persons were killed in a devastating fire that swept through a 150-year-old multi-storeyed building housing offices and residences on upscale Park Street on Tuesday.

While two leapt to their death from upper floors, three died in hospitals from burns, Commissioner of Kolkata Police Gautam Mohan Chakraborty told reporters at the scene.

The toll might rise, Fire Services Minister Pratim Chatterjee said.

The dead were identified as Sourav Barik and Richa Krishnan who jumped off the building, Stephen Court, while Pradip Chokhalia, Vivek Upadhyay and Bikash Agarwala died in hospital, he said.

Stephen Court, located in the heart of the city, houses the iconic 100-year-old Flury's confectionery house and a large music store called Music World and several other offices.

Police and firemen, however, failed to establish contact with the employees of a firm, Microsystems, in the building, Chakraborty said.

The blazes on the third and fourth floors were under control, the police chief said.

He said three gas cylinders exploded inside the building as the fire raged, while 12 more were recovered.

Chatterjee said 22 persons, including a 90-year-old woman, were rescued from the burning building.

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