Smoke and flames billowing out of a window after a fire at a building in Kolkata on Tuesday morning. (Source: Express photo by Partha Paul) Smoke and flames billowing out of a window after a fire at a building in Kolkata on Tuesday morning. (Source: Express photo by Partha Paul)

Fire broke out at an age old 22-storey highrise commercial building in south Kolkata area on Tuesday morning. The building, known as Chatterjee International building, is one of the oldest highrise in the city.

According to sources, the fire broke out around 9 am on the 15th floor and later spread to the 16th floor. While the officegoers were yet to reach the building, at least seven persons were initially trapped. While three were rescued by police and fire department, four of them came down on their own. Three of the rescued persons were admitted to SSKM hospital.

The building houses offices and commercial establishments mostly.

Traffic along Park Street – JL Nehru stretch (where the building is located) has been diverted and the area has been cordoned off.

According to Fire and Disaster Management Minister Javed Ahmed Khan, as many as 15 fire tenders were rushed to the spot with two hydraulic ladders. City mayor Sovan Chatterjee said that chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who is on tour to north Bengal, directed him to take all precautionary measures.

According to sources in fire department, the fire might have been caused by an explosion of an AC machine at the 15th floor. However the cause of fire is yet to be ascertained .

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