Bengal: ER suspends licence of operator after rail coach restaurant catches fire
Kolkata, Aug 31 (IANS) Eastern Railway (ER) has suspended the licence of the operator of a rail coach‑themed restaurant outside Sealdah station after a fire broke out inside on Monday.
The incident occurred around 9.15 a.m. There were no casualties or injuries, but a preliminary probe revealed that the restaurant lacked adequate fire safety measures.
Divisional railway authorities were immediately alerted and took prompt safety measures, cordoning off the affected area to safeguard passengers.
“The fire brigade reached the spot around 9.24 a.m. and immediately started fire‑fighting operations. Through coordinated efforts, the fire was successfully brought under control around 10 a.m. It was completely extinguished by 10.45 a.m.,” an ER official said.
The incident did not disrupt passenger movement or train operations, as the restaurant is located away from the main station building. There was no panic among passengers, and normal movement at Sealdah station continued throughout, the official added.
“Sealdah station is equipped with an automatic fire suppression system for the station premises only. However, the system does not cover the restaurant area, as it was the responsibility of the licensee. As required by the fire services, water was supplied in adequate quantity from the station’s hydrant system by manually operating the pumps to support the fire‑fighting operation,” the official explained.
Prima facie assessment revealed that cooking oil in a frying pan caught fire due to overheating, possibly because of a higher temperature setting. The flames subsequently rose towards the ceiling, causing the duct and ceiling insulation to catch fire. As the restaurant is an enclosed space, heavy smoke accumulated inside the premises.
“The licence has been suspended with immediate effect until completion of the inquiry. A detailed inquiry has been initiated to establish the exact cause of the incident and assess responsibility. If any lapse or negligence on the part of the licensee is established, strict action will be taken by the Sealdah Division as per applicable rules,” the official said.
The area has been sealed off, and forensic experts will collect samples to determine the cause. According to the official, the swift response of the fire department and prompt coordination by railway personnel ensured that the situation was brought under control without affecting passenger safety, movement or train operations.
–IANS
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