10.5k techies, visitors evacuated after fire breaks out at Sec V pub

Kolkata: Around 10,500 employees and visitors from more than 100 offices and 40 restaurants operating in a commercial complex in Sector V were evacuated on Friday evening after a fire broke out at a gothic-themed pub, triggering panic and a massive rush for exits inside the 15-storey building with a glass facade.Police said the blaze started at Pourgattory Club, located on the podium level of Globsyn Crystals building, around 4.15 pm. Thick, black smoke began billowing out of the restopub, spreading rapidly through the lower levels and seeping into common areas through AC ducts, setting off fire alarms across floors.
Within minutes, the alarms and smoke sent thousands of employees scrambling. Security personnel checked every floor, urging occupants to leave immediately through staircases and designated emergency exits. Power supply to the building was cut as a precautionary measure.Despite repeated announcements to avoid elevators, some individuals attempted to use them during the evacuation. A woman was trapped inside one of the lifts after the power was disconnected and began to panic. Firemen and building guards, however, managed to rescue and take her to a nearby hospital. "She suffered a panic attack, but was doing better after preliminary treatment," a fireman said.Anshupriya Roy, who works at an IT firm on the fifth floor, said, "We stepped out of our office and found thick smoke all around. The emergency gates were opened and we were instructed to run down the stairs, leaving our belongings behind. Power was soon disconnected, and fire officials, along with the building's fire safety team, responded quickly. We were allowed to re-enter and collect our belongings after about an hour." Sayani Dutta, employed at a real estate firm on the first floor, said, "The firemen were quick to address the situation and ensured all of us were evacuated safely."Ankit Prasad, who works on the second floor of a private firm, said the incident could have turned catastrophic if the blaze spread upwards.Fire officials suspect the blaze may have originated from a short circuit inside the pub. Three fire tenders managed to control the blaze in less than 45 minutes, officials said. However, they clarified that the exact cause can only be ascertained after a detailed forensic examination.State fire and emergency services minister Sujit Bose, who visited the spot in the evening, said the building's internal fire safety mechanisms played a crucial role in preventing escalation. "The building's fire-fighting system was adequate and helped prevent major damage. Our firemen also reached the spot promptly and managed to bring the blaze under control in time," he said.