An early morning fire gutted several roadside eateries and shops opposite Sukhobrishti Housing Complex in New Town on Saturday.
A senior official of the New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA), which provides civic services to the three action areas of New Town, said the makeshift stalls that had come on land that was initially meant for building a stretch of pavement and on a portion of the service lane in front of the DLF New Town Heights complex did not have licences to operate.
At least six fire engines fought flames that leapt up to 40 feet in the air as multiple gas cylinders exploded one after another. The firemen doused the flames in 45 minutes.
A senior fire official said they received an alert from a resident of a housing complex nearby around 3.10am.
“We reached the spot within minutes. As soon as we reached, there was an explosion. We counted at least four such explosions. After dousing the flames, we found metal pieces of LPG cylinders in the debris. All the shops in the area are made out of flammable materials like plastic, bamboo, wooden planks and plywood,” said the fire official.
The structures, which came up a few years back, used to stay open till the morning, residents of the area said.
Many of them double up as hookah bars and operate till early morning.
Among the gutted shops, there were some that used to sell groceries and vegetables.
Many such makeshift stalls and eateries, which use LPG cylinders or kerosene stoves to cook, have come up in all three action areas of New Town. Residents said most of them do not have any fire-fighting system, though they are made of inflammable items.
Residents alleged they had repeatedly asked police and the NKDA to take action against these shops but nothing had been done.
An officer of the Bidhannagar commissionerate said they were aware of the illegal structures but reasoned that it was up to the NKDA to demolish them.
“We will certainly cooperate with the New Town authorities if they launch any demolition drive,” he said.
NKDA chairman Debashis Sen said: “All shops on the stretch are illegal. We will send them notices to move out.If they don’t, we will take strict action. If necessary, we will carry out an eviction drive.”
Samaresh Das of the New Town Forum and News, a residents’ body, said they had alerted the authorities multiple times about the shacks.
“Most of these stay open till early hours. People visit them till late at night and can be spotted till the early hours in the morning. Many of the shops on this stretch have come up blocking the service ane,” Das said.