Exits blocked as India building blaze kills 24
CALCUTTA. Some exits were blocked at a seven-story building in Calcutta ravaged by a fire that killed at least 24 people, including two victims who jumped to their deaths as onlookers crowded the area, police said Wednesday; Kazinform refers to China Daily.
The fire tore through the building in the eastern Indian city on Tuesday. The death toll was initially six, but firefighters later discovered 18 more bodies inside. Chakraborty said rescuers were still looking for 10 people reported missing by their relatives.
About 20 other people were injured, five critically, in the blaze at the nearly 100-year-old building. It lies on Calcutta's busy Park Street, which is lined with offices, apartments and restaurants.
The fire was believed to have started in an elevator, but police are still investigating the cause, officer Javed Shamim said; Kazinform cites China Daily. See www.chinadaily.com.cn for full version.