Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) Probes Legalities of Park Street Blaze

In response to the recent fire at a rooftop restaurant on Camac Street, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) buildings department is taking decisive action to ascertain whether proper permissions were obtained for the conversion of the terrace into a dining establishment. The property in question, located at 1/1, Camac Street, was initially sanctioned by KMC as a commercial building. The fire incident has prompted an investigation into whether the modifications for the rooftop restaurant adhered to legal requirements.

The KMC buildings department has announced plans to issue a formal notice to the property owner, requiring them to present the building plan and relevant documentation. This is to verify if due permission was sought from the civic body for the makeshift rooftop café, which was constructed using steel, asbestos, and glass panels. An official from the buildings department stated, “We have examined the building plan of the commercial establishment where the fire occurred. We are now seeking to confirm if permission was obtained for the rooftop conversion. A meeting with our officials has already taken place regarding this matter, and we will be sending a notice to the owners, requesting them to provide the sanctioned plan and other related papers.”

In addition to document verification, the KMC will deploy a team of engineers to assess the structural damage caused by the fire. The forensic report, which is still pending, will inform the next steps of the investigation. “Our engineers will visit the site for a thorough inspection once we receive the forensic findings. Should any part of the building, including the rooftop, be deemed structurally compromised and a risk to public safety, we will take the necessary actions, including demolition if required,” the official added.

The police have not yet lodged a First Information Report (FIR) as they are awaiting a formal complaint. The South Division Police, along with KMC, plan to determine legal actions once they receive preliminary reports from forensic experts who examined the site and collected samples. An officer commented, “We are awaiting separate reports from forensic experts and the fire department to determine the exact cause. A short circuit is suspected, but the forensic analysis will confirm the source and reasons, which will guide any potential negligence charges.”

The current owner of the property, who acquired it two months ago, has been identified. The facility was previously owned by the son of a Bidhannagar politician, now residing in London, who had previously applied for a trade licence. The previous owner has assured the police that all necessary licences were in place, though he had not re-applied for them this year due to plans to sell his company. The new owner has been requested to provide all pertinent documents. “If a case is registered, we will decide on the appropriate legal actions,” an officer noted.

The police are also seeking further clarity from the KMC, particularly since the civic body was operating on a half-day schedule immediately following the fire. Fortunately, there were no injuries as occupants of the building were able to evacuate promptly upon receiving an alert.

This incident has put a spotlight on the necessity for stringent adherence to building regulations and the importance of ensuring all modifications are appropriately sanctioned to prevent such occurrences in the future.