Kolkata fire: Search for bodies continues, 2 held

Kolkata, Mar 25: Even as the fire personnel continue to search for bodies of missing persons in the debris of the fire-ravaged Stephen Court building, the Kolkata Munical Corporation (KMC) has begun demolishing the damaged portions of the building.

The rescue personnel on Wednesday, Mar 24 gained access into the fifth and the sixth floors of the building and are presently looking for bodies of several missing persons. A reported stench from one part of the fifth floor is expected to lead the personnel to bodies trapped under the rubble.

Out of the 24 bodies recovered, four will be sent for DNA testing to determine the identities of the deceased.

A demonstration broke out at the Park Street as residents demanded that they should be allowed to go into the building to collect valuables before the demolition. Police and KMC officials had to pacify the people by telling them that only the burnt down part of the top two floors will be torn down and that it was necessary as the condition of this damaged part of the building could lead to further loss of lives.

Caretaker Tarun Bagadia and Ram Shankar Singh were arrested on Thursday, Mar 25 in connection with the Tuesday, Mar 23 fire. The police is still hunting for building promoter Sanjay Bagadia.

OneIndia News