Massive Fire At Kolkata Building That Housed TMC's Jahangir Khan's Office, BJP Alleges Sabotage

A massive fire erupted at a nine-storey government building, which housed the South 24 Parganas Zilla Parishad office, in Kolkata on Wednesday, with 17 fire tenders rushing to the spot to contain the blaze.

According to a report by the news agency PTI, Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Jahangir Khan, who serves as the chairman of the roads and transport standing committee of the Zilla Parishad

, had his office on the third floor of the establishment.

The blaze was first noticed around 9:50 A.M. on the third floor of the building, which later swept through other parts of the facility, officials said, adding there were no injuries reported in the incident.

One person, who was stranded on the floor, was rescued by authorities, they said.

After hours

of firefighting, officials announced the blaze had largely been contained. However, in the afternoon, flames were seen ripping through the top two floors, prompting authorities to intensify operations.

The blaze spread from the third and fourth floors, PTI reported, citing officials.

The exact cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. Officials said the possibility of a short-circuit could not be ruled out.

‘Act Of Sabotage’

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has alleged that the fire was an “act of sabotage”.

Jahangir Khan — a TMC strongman who had branded himself as the local ‘Pushpa’ after the Telugu action thriller — was arrested Monday by the West Bengal Special Task Force (STF) after the Calcutta High Court refused to extend his interim protection.

The court noted that five police cases had been filed against him after the West Bengal election results were declared on May 4.