Fire in godown

TT, Siliguri, Oct. 24: A fire broke out at a godown that stores edible oil and plastic containers at Jalpai More here this morning.

Four fire engines were called to douse the flames.

Amit Dalmia, the godown owner, said: “I can’t say how the fire broke out. There are chances that a flicker from crackers or sparklers burning during Diwali celebrations might have caused it. I had goods worth around Rs 1 crore in stock and need to assess the damage.”

The officials of state fire services department have said the godown is located in a crowded area in Siliguri, and lacked fire safety measures and probably does not have a fire licence.

Local people said around 6.30am they saw smoke bellowing out of the godown.

They then informed officials at the Siliguri fire station, which is located nearby, and four fire engines came to douse the flames.

Apurba Kumar Das, the station officer of Siliguri fire station, said: “We could bring the fire under control by 12.30pm. No injury has been reported. Considering the locality it would have developed into a major fire if it had spread out of the godown.”

“The godown houses inflammable items and edible oils. Still, there was no proper fire safety equipment. We also suspect that the owner does not possess a fire licence which is an offence,” he added.