Kolkata’s Safety Crisis: Park Street Fire Sparks Urgent Calls for Overhaul in Building Regulations
The fire that ravaged the Park Centre building near Kolkata’s iconic Park Street on Thursday afternoon has brought into sharp focus the city’s ongoing crisis with building safety regulations. As fire crews battled the blaze, several businesses within the building were severely affected, and multiple workers were injured. The fire, which took hours to control, was exacerbated by outdated safety protocols and the lack of effective oversight on building renovations.
The fire not only devastated the businesses operating in the building but also highlighted a larger systemic issue plaguing Kolkata: the city’s failure to implement and enforce basic fire safety regulations in its rapidly expanding commercial spaces.
Details of the Incident
The fire started on the rooftop of Park Centre, which was undergoing unauthorized renovations. A restaurant on the top floor, under construction without permits or proper fire safety measures, became the source of the blaze. It quickly spread to the building’s upper floors, which were filled with office spaces, retail outlets, and even small factories.
“Initially, we thought it was just smoke from construction work, but then the whole building was on fire,” said one eyewitness. “There was no alarm, no evacuation plan. It was chaos.”
Within minutes, the entire upper floor was engulfed in flames, trapping workers inside. Firefighters arrived at the scene but were delayed due to narrow streets and obstructed entrances, typical issues for buildings in Kolkata’s densely populated commercial zones. The fire department, stretched thin by the complexity of the situation, worked tirelessly for hours to control the inferno.
Fortunately, no lives were lost, but at least 15 people were taken to local hospitals for treatment of burns and smoke inhalation. Many businesses operating in the building, from small tech startups to fashion boutiques, reported catastrophic losses.
The Core of the Problem: Lack of Enforcement
The devastating fire underscores a growing crisis in Kolkata: a failure to regulate and enforce fire safety standards in a city that is undergoing rapid urbanization. While the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) and Fire and Emergency Services Department have regulations in place, enforcement remains inconsistent, and many buildings in the city’s commercial districts operate in violation of these laws.
According to sources from the Kolkata Fire Department, the Park Centre building had not undergone a proper fire safety inspection for over 18 months. Despite multiple renovations over the years, no fire clearance had been issued, and the building was operating with expired permits. A lack of access to adequate fire extinguishers, faulty wiring, and obstructed escape routes are among the violations found in preliminary investigations.
The building’s owners reportedly failed to notify local authorities about the ongoing rooftop restaurant renovation, which included the use of flammable materials and unapproved electrical installations. Experts argue that the root cause of such incidents lies in the city’s failure to implement systematic and frequent building inspections, which could have prevented such a disaster.
“We have stringent laws in place, but there is no monitoring,” said Kolkata-based architect and safety consultant Raghavendra Bhagat. “There’s no coordination between the departments, and no real mechanism to ensure that building codes are being followed.”
A Pattern of Neglect: Previous Disasters
The Park Centre fire is not an isolated incident. Kolkata has a history of devastating fires, many of which share common threads: unregulated renovations, outdated building infrastructure, and a lack of adherence to fire safety protocols. Some of the most notable tragedies include:
- Stephen Court Fire (2010): A deadly fire in a commercial building that claimed 43 lives due to blocked exits and poor fire safety measures.
- AMRI Hospital Fire (2011): A catastrophic blaze that led to the deaths of 93 people due to inadequate fire systems.
- Bagree Market Fire (2018): A fire in one of Kolkata’s busiest markets that took over 60 hours to extinguish due to poor infrastructure and firefighting resources.
Despite these tragic events, safety reforms have been slow, and building safety regulations continue to be violated. A significant issue is the lack of penalties for non-compliance, with authorities often turning a blind eye to violations, especially when political connections or financial interests are involved.
The Need for Systemic Reform
In the wake of the Park Centre fire, experts and civic leaders are calling for urgent reforms to address the city’s building safety crisis. According to urban safety consultant Priya Chatterjee, Kolkata needs to overhaul its entire approach to urban planning and building regulations.
“The city cannot continue to operate on the assumption that disasters won’t happen,” said Chatterjee. “We need stronger enforcement, stricter penalties, and a modernized approach to building safety. This includes not just fire safety but also ensuring that buildings are structurally sound and accessible for emergency services.”
Chatterjee and other safety experts have recommended several steps for immediate action:
- Mandatory Fire Safety Certifications: All commercial buildings must submit up-to-date fire safety certifications and undergo regular inspections. Those without valid certifications should face immediate penalties, including fines and forced closure.
- Clear Accountability for Renovations: Building owners should be legally obligated to inform local authorities about renovations and ensure that all work complies with safety codes, including fire safety standards.
- Modernization of Fire Safety Infrastructure: Many of Kolkata’s older commercial buildings were not designed to accommodate the modern needs of businesses. As a result, fire safety infrastructure, such as sprinklers, emergency exits, and fire-resistant materials, must be retrofitted into existing buildings.
- Public Awareness Campaigns: Tenants and business owners should be educated on fire safety and the importance of adhering to regulations. Creating an informed public can help prevent many safety lapses.
Government Response: A Call for Accountability
In response to the fire, KMC and local fire officials have promised to intensify inspections of commercial properties in the area. Mayor Firhad Hakim assured the public that the government would take swift action against those found in violation of safety regulations.
“We will ensure that all necessary steps are taken to hold those responsible accountable,” said Hakim. “This incident has exposed significant lapses in our safety systems, and we are committed to addressing these issues.”
However, many are skeptical of the government’s ability to implement lasting change. “The government has made similar promises in the past after fires, but the issue is never addressed at its core,” said local activist Somnath Ghosh. “Without real action, these disasters will keep happening.”
Business and Public Reaction
The business community has expressed growing frustration with the lack of action on building safety. Many local entrepreneurs have demanded a safer environment in which to operate, and some are calling for a citywide audit of fire safety compliance in all commercial buildings.
“I’ve been running my business here for 15 years, and this is the first time I’ve seen such widespread concern,” said local retail store owner Rina Gupta. “We need to know that our safety is a priority, not just during an election year.”
For employees and tenants who work in these buildings, safety is no longer a mere concern—it’s a daily fear. As the city grapples with this latest disaster, the question remains: will Kolkata learn from its mistakes, or will it continue to overlook the safety of its citizens until the next tragedy strikes?
Conclusion: Time for Action
The Park Centre fire is a wake-up call for Kolkata—a city at a crossroads. It is time for a major overhaul of the city’s building regulations, enforcement mechanisms, and fire safety infrastructure. For too long, Kolkata has operated on the belief that disaster won’t strike again. The time for complacency is over. If the city is to avoid further tragedy, it must prioritize public safety and ensure that buildings, both new and old, meet the highest safety standards.
Only then can Kolkata begin to build a safer, more resilient future.
