A fire broke out at Sealdah rail coach eatery on Monday morning
The fire was reported around 9.15 am as thousands of commuters from Kolkata’s suburbs arrived in the city for work.
The blaze was brought under control after an hour-long operation, with no injuries or disruption to train services, railway officials said. A fire department official said the enclosure’s firefighting system failed and water available in the complex was inadequate. Railway officials said Sealdah station’s automatic fire suppression system covered the station premises but not the restaurant, where fire protection was the licensee’s responsibility. Railway said adequate water was supplied from the station’s hydrant system by manually operating pumps.
Three fire engines were deployed as smoke quickly filled the enclosed restaurant, housed in converted railway coaches. Kolkata Police and railway personnel cordoned off the area near the taxi stand, temporarily affecting movement around the station entrance. Few people were inside and all escaped unhurt. Firefighters smashed glass panels with iron rods and bricks to ventilate the premises, while some entered wearing breathing apparatus.
Kolkata: A fire broke out at Sealdah Food Express, also known as Rail Coach Restaurant, outside Sealdah railway station on Monday morning, sending thick smoke billowing from the eatery during the peak office rush.
Because the temperature was set too high, a prima facie railway assessment suggested cooking oil in a frying pan at one eatery caught fire after overheating, possibly.
Fire officials said combustible materials, including plastic and Styrofoam plates, were stored inside. The flames then reached the ceiling, igniting the duct and ceiling insulation, while the enclosed space caused smoke to build up. Small enclosed seating areas and a false ceiling also contributed to smoke accumulation. Brands at Food Express included Prabhuji, Wow Chicken, Wow China and Dunkel Braun.