A fire broke out at the hanging restaurant atop Biswa Bangla Gate in New Town, West Bengal, on Wednesday evening, triggering panic among people below. Around 50 to 60 customers were dining at the restaurant when flames were spotted at approximately 6.30 pm on Vijaya Dashami. All guests and staff were evacuated safely, and no casualties were reported.
Eyewitnesses said flames and smoke rising from the elevated restaurant alarmed people on the road below. Fire tenders and a large police contingent rushed to the spot after receiving the alert.
As embers began falling onto the road, police stopped traffic on the main arterial stretch beneath the landmark as a precaution. Firefighters and police personnel worked together to bring the blaze under control.
Bidhannagar Police Commissioner Rathod Amitkumar Bharat reached the site with senior officers from New Town and Techno City police stations. After inspecting the area, he confirmed that the fire had broken out in the restaurant section above Biswa Bangla Gate at around 6.30 pm and was contained promptly.
The fire department and the Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (HIDCO) are investigating the cause. Officials are examining whether a short circuit or an incident in the kitchen triggered the blaze.
Authorities have also ordered a comprehensive safety audit of the structure. The police commissioner said the relevant agencies had been instructed to inspect the entire installation following the incident.
The fire briefly disrupted traffic in the area, causing severe congestion. Normal movement has since resumed.
FAQs
1. Where did the fire break out?
The fire broke out at the hanging restaurant atop Biswa Bangla Gate in New Town, West Bengal.
2. When did the incident occur?
The fire was spotted at around 6.30 pm on Wednesday, October 21, during Vijaya Dashami.
3. Were there any casualties?
No casualties were reported. All customers and restaurant staff were evacuated safely.
4. What caused the fire?
The cause has not been established. Investigators are examining a possible short circuit or a kitchen-related incident.
5. What action have authorities taken?
The fire department and HIDCO are investigating the incident, and a comprehensive safety audit of the structure has been ordered.