Over a thousand people were rendered homeless after at least 100 shanties were gutted in a major fire at Kaliakapur in the eastern part Kolkata on Sunday evening but there were no reports of casualties, officials said.
Sixteen fire tenders were rushed to the spot on the E M Bypass to put off the blaze, who finally brought it under control in about two hours, they said.
Fire brigade personnel had a tough time as the flames were spreading fast fanned by strong winds, fire brigade officials said.
Some people were reported missing, but locals along with police traced them from neighbouring areas, West Bengal Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim said.
Disaster Management Minister, Javed Khan said there was no report of any casualty or major injury. As per rule, inquiries would be conducted by both the Fire Services Department and police, Khan said.
Published 22 January 2012, 20:04 IST