Major fire engulfs Zilla Parishad office near Alipore court; 1 worker rescued from roof

A major fire broke out on Wednesday morning at a prominent government complex in the high-profile Alipore neighborhood of Kolkata, causing extensive structural damage and widespread panic. The incident occurred at the multi-storey South 24 Parganas Zilla Parishad building, an administrative hub that houses several vital state offices. Among the offices located inside the affected premises is that of Jahangir Khan, a well-known figure in West Bengal politics.

The crisis began around 7:00 AM when local residents spotted thick plumes of smoke escaping from the fourth floor of the high-rise structure. The fire department was immediately alerted, and two initial tenders were dispatched to combat the emerging blaze. However, fueled by official papers, files, and wooden office furniture, the aggressive flames rapidly climbed through the upper levels of the building, eventually reaching up to the seventh floor.

As the inferno intensified, the entire Alipore area was choked by a heavy blanket of black smoke. The extreme heat within the building led to the breaking of exterior glass windows and eventually triggered a partial collapse of the roof structure. At least 10 fire engines rushed to the site to initiate a wartime operation, attempting to contain the spreading fire and prevent it from jumping to adjacent properties.

Amidst the chaos, a critical rescue operation was launched following reports that an office worker had become trapped on the seventh floor. Rescue teams quickly utilized safety ropes to pull the stranded individual out of the smoke-filled upper floor. By 10:30 AM, hundreds of government employees arrived for their regular shifts but were barred from entering the complex due to the ongoing hazard. Investigators are currently checking the building to confirm if any other individuals are trapped, while an inquiry into the source of the fire is expected to commence soon.