Kolkata, July 2: A devastating fire erupted at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) – Kharagpur, potentially resulting in the destruction of several vital documents housed in the Lal Bahadur Shastri Common Room. The blaze was discovered by vigilant security personnel at approximately 3 a.m. on Sunday, catching the students, researchers, and staff unaware in their slumber.
The incident caused panic among the campus residents as thick, black smoke engulfed the entire premises. Fortunately, no casualties or injuries have been reported as of the time of this report.
Immediate action was taken by alerting the local fire service station, prompting the prompt arrival of fire tenders. The firefighting operation lasted for a couple of hours, with relentless efforts leading to the eventual control of the fire.
The exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined. However, fire officials suspect a short circuit might have sparked the flames. The storeroom adjacent to the common room is believed to be the origin of the fire. Consequently, concerns have been raised regarding the fire prevention measures employed by this prestigious technology institute.
It is worth noting that a similar incident occurred at IIT-Kharagpur in March 2021. Fortunately, that fire did not result in any casualties or property damage.
Efforts are underway to assess the extent of the damage caused by the recent fire and to determine the impact on the crucial documents stored within the Lal Bahadur Shastri Common Room.
