Large portion of Statesman building destroyed in blaze

Kolkata, Mar 31 (UNI) A large portion of the heritage building of the Statesman House was badly damaged in a major fire that broke out this evening.

Twentythree fire tenders fought for more than two hours to douse the flames.

However, there were no reports of casualty as the building was evacuated immediately after the fire broke out on the ground floor and leapt up to engulf first and the second floor when it was full with reporters and other staff members preparing for the next morning edition.

West Bengal governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi, CPI (M) state secretary Biman Bose, Trinamool Congress Chief Mamata Banerjee and many others leaders rushed to the spot after hearing the news.

Located in the Chowringee in Central Kolkata, the building is one of the old and was declared a heritage site.

The fire broke out at about 2000 hours in the rotary section of the old press at the rear side of the premises.

UNI KDG PC AB SK RN0025