A massive fire that broke out at a commercial complex near Park Street on Thursday has not only disrupted dozens of businesses but also exposed the dangers posed by unchecked renovations in some of Kolkata’s busiest and oldest commercial areas. The incident, occurring just hours after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s tour of central Kolkata, has reignited a debate over fire safety and the lack of monitoring in buildings undergoing structural changes.
How the Fire Started
According to eyewitness accounts and early fire department assessments, the fire originated on the top floor of the Park Centre building in the Mechhua area. At approximately 3:15 PM, employees in nearby buildings noticed smoke rising from the rooftop of the mid-rise commercial structure. Within minutes, flames were visible from the street, sending people running out of the building.
The source of the fire is believed to be a kitchen area in a now-defunct rooftop restaurant that was undergoing unlicensed renovation. Construction materials, temporary wiring, and compressed gas cylinders were reportedly present at the site—a combination that fire experts say is a recipe for disaster.
Ten fire tenders were rushed to the spot, and a four-hour-long firefighting operation ensued. Firefighters evacuated people trapped on the higher floors using ladders and protective gear. At least nine people were treated for breathing complications, but no deaths were reported.
Unsafe Renovations at the Core
Multiple fire officials confirmed that the building did not have an updated fire safety license. What’s more troubling, however, is that renovation work was taking place on the rooftop without any official approval from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) or the Fire and Emergency Services Department.
“In a congested business zone like this, any unapproved renovation is highly risky,” said Deputy Fire Officer Jayanta Basu. “You cannot have open gas lines, debris, and faulty wiring without supervision.”
Business owners in the complex say they were unaware of the rooftop modifications until the fire happened. “We had no idea that kind of construction was happening upstairs,” said Devika Malhotra, who runs a tax consultancy from the fourth floor. “Had we known, we would have raised the alarm earlier.”
Business Impact and Property Loss
The fire caused extensive damage to the top two floors of the building and water damage to several lower levels. Preliminary estimates suggest losses in the range of ₹3–5 crore, affecting at least 22 businesses. Hard disks, inventory, documents, and office interiors were destroyed.
“We’ve lost all of our client records from the last six months,” said Arjun Sen, the owner of a legal documentation service on the third floor. “What’s frustrating is that we were complying with all safety norms—someone else’s negligence cost us everything.”
Recurring Pattern in Kolkata’s Fire Incidents
This incident is yet another reminder of how renovation activities—when done without oversight—can become a serious safety hazard. In March 2022, a fire at a commercial warehouse in Burrabazar traced back to welding work led to similar devastation. In 2021, unauthorized electrical work caused a blaze at a commercial-cum-residential building near Sealdah.
Experts say many such fires are avoidable, and the root cause lies in the city’s outdated enforcement mechanisms.
“There’s a loophole in the process,” said Saikat Ray, a senior architect and safety consultant. “Builders and owners often begin renovation with minimal notice, and by the time authorities catch on, the damage is done.”
Post-CM Visit Fire Draws Political Reactions
The timing of the fire, following closely after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s inspection tour of central Kolkata, has led to sharp criticism from opposition leaders and citizen groups. During her visit, the CM had emphasized improving urban hygiene, street conditions, and traffic discipline in commercial zones—but fire safety wasn’t mentioned.
“The government is more focused on optics than substance,” said CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty. “You can’t beautify the façade while letting buildings turn into fire traps.”
Civic Authorities Respond
In response to the fire, KMC has promised to conduct a survey of all buildings in the Park Street-Mechhua area that have applied for renovation or modification in the last 12 months. A special task force has also been formed to inspect rooftop structures and check for illegal construction.
Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim, who visited the site, said, “We will not tolerate unauthorized work. The building owner will be issued a show-cause notice, and appropriate legal action will follow.”
The fire department has also proposed a new regulation that would require all renovation projects—especially in commercial buildings—to be reported to both fire services and the municipal body, regardless of scale.
Legal Grey Areas and Ownership Conflicts
Adding complexity to the situation is the fact that Park Centre has recently changed ownership. According to documents accessed by reporters, the building was sold just two months ago, and the new owner had not yet completed the documentation for license transfers—including fire clearance. Disputes between tenants and the new management have now surfaced, with several accusing the owner of neglect.
“The new management didn’t consult us or the fire department before starting work,” said Ranjit Kumar, a chartered accountant who operates from the building. “Now we’re paying the price.”
Legal experts say such disputes are common, especially in buildings with multiple stakeholders and shared utilities. However, that cannot excuse the absence of safety measures.
Experts Call for Stronger Oversight Mechanisms
Several urban planning and safety experts have called for more stringent monitoring of building renovations in commercial zones. Proposed solutions include:
- Mandatory fire clearance before initiating renovation
- Online registry of all active renovation permits
- Random inspections by fire department officials
- Heavier penalties for non-compliance
“Unless there are deterrents, building owners will continue cutting corners,” said Nidhi Sinha, an urban infrastructure policy researcher. “Right now, the incentives are all wrong—saving money wins over safety.”
A Wake-Up Call for Kolkata
For the business community around Park Street, this fire is more than an unfortunate incident—it’s a loud warning. Many business owners are now demanding transparency from building management and better communication from city authorities.
“We can’t operate in fear every day,” said Shruti Agarwal, who owns a designer boutique in a neighboring building. “Safety must come before profit.”
With rebuilding and investigations now underway, what happens in the next few weeks could set a precedent for how the city handles renovation-related safety violations going forward.
