Large fire breaks out in Kolkata slum

KOLKATA - A huge fire broke out in a slum area on the eastern outskirts of Kolkata Friday, a state fire department official said. No casualty has been reported in the incident so far.

According to fire department sources, at least 20 fire engines were pressed into service to douse the flames at the slum on the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass near Science City auditorium.

“The slum was full of combustible items and leather products, which aggravated the fire at a massive pace. The fire broke out at around 11.30 a.m.,” a fire department source said.

“We cannot ascertain the exact reason of the fire now,” he said.