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Regular-article-logo Thursday, 25 April 2024

National Medical College hostel fire: police suspect short circuit

There was no one in the room when the fire was reported around 1.20am

Our Special Correspondent Park Circus Published 14.06.19, 01:12 AM
The gutted hostel room

The gutted hostel room Telegraph picture

An early morning fire in a room of the main hostel of the Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital where junior doctors live triggered allegations of outsiders hurling bombs.

An intern, Souvik Meyta, and a student of Part I, Arijit Banerjee, stay in the room on the first floor of the hostel at 33 Linton Street on Park Circus.

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There was no one in the room when the fire was reported around 1.20am.

Two fire engines were pressed into action.

Although several junior doctors alleged that the hostel had been attacked, preliminary investigations by the forensic department suggested that the source of the fire was “inside the room”.

The gutted hostel room

The gutted hostel room Telegraph picture

“Several students alleged something had been thrown from outside through a window that caused the fire,” a forensic department official said.

“In that case there should have been residue marks... there was none. The window appeared to have been broken before the fire,” the official said.

The death of 75-year-old Mohammad Sayeed at NRS hospital on Monday night had led to an attack on two junior doctors.

The fire early on Friday led to allegations on social media that it was yet another attack on junior doctors.

Some alleged the hostel was under attack and had been set on fire.

The police said preliminary investigations suggested a short circuit might have triggered the fire.

“The electrical wiring of the room is very old. There were several old wires in the room. Forensic officials have collected samples of copper wires from the spot,” an officer of Beniapukur police station said.

Another officer said there was no evidence or witness to suggest that someone had intentionally set the room on fire.

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