Fire breaks out in Mamata's room in Malda

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday had a narrow escape after a fire broke out in a hotel room she was staying at in Malda district, where she was campaigning for the April 24 Lok Sabha polls.

The police said that at around 6.40 pm, the AC in the room caught fire while she was inside the toilet. Feeling uneasy on inhaling the smoke, she shouted out the name of an aide Joydeep for help.

State transport minister Madan Mitra, who accompanied the CM during her campaign with filmstar-turned TMC MP Mithun Chakraborty, said, “After hearing Banerjee’s cries, Joydeep rushed to her help and wrapped her with a blanket, pulling her out of the room. The room was filled with smoke. The police said a doctor examined her. Fire tenders arrived soon and extinguished the fire.”

According to Mitra, Banerjee is unhurt and safe.

Later, in a letter to Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampath and state CEO Sunil Kumar Gupta, TMC general secretary Mukul Roy accused the EC of failure to ensure the safety and security of the chief minister who is a Z+ category protectee.