South 24 Parganas, 21 December (H.S.)
11 cottages were burnt to ashes in a fire that broke out on Saturday evening in Mausuni Island in South 24 Parganas district during the tourist season. It is alleged that there was no fire fighting system in the cottages made of wood. Therefore, the fire spread rapidly. On information, the coastal police reached the spot. There is no news of any casualties in this incident. This is the second fire incident in three months at this popular tourist spot.
According to local sources, a short circuit caused a fire in Mahamaya Cottage at around 4.30 pm. The homestay in Saltgheri Baliara under Fraserganj Coastal Police Station area was built of mud and bamboo Kanchi. At the time the fire broke out, three tourists went to eat in the adjacent dining room. They and other people nearby first noticed the smell of burning and smoke and went near the house to see the fire. The fire spread rapidly. There are a total of 20 rooms in the homestay. Out of these, 11 rooms have been burnt to ashes.
Being a remote island area, there was no way for the fire brigade to reach there. With the help of local residents, the fire was brought under control in about an hour. But the cottage owner is upset as the cottages were completely destroyed. Reportedly, most of the cottages in this popular tourist destination do not have fire extinguishers.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey
