Eleven die from carbon monoxide poisoning

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In a freak accident, eleven people died from carbon monoxide poisoning and asphyxiation after a fire and the deadly gas formed, spread into a readymade garment centre through air conditioning ducts from the floors above in Sodepur, Bengal.

CJ: merinews network

Fri, May 16, 2008 19:58:21 IST

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Bengal News :

IN A terrible tragedy, 11 people died from carbon monoxide poisoning and asphyxiation after a fire started on the floor above a readymade garment centre in Sodepur in the outskirts of Kolkata on Friday noon. Though the fire was devastating, no one died of burn injuries. Among the dead, 10 were men and one was a woman. Many more fell ill and had to be hospitalised and are still unconscious. The death toll has been going up by the hour. There was palpable tension outside the hospitals.

On the floor above the centre, workers were using welding equipment with the help of gas cylinders. Sparks from the welding machines started a fire on the carpeted floor. The flames spread and entered the central air conditioning ducts and travelled down to the centre as did the flames. Some of the shutters in the complex were foolishly downed trapping people. The readymade centre was crowded with buyers. There was chaos in the centre and all those inside the closeted area rushed for the exit elbowing each other out. There was absolute panic and a stampede followed. Many collapsed unable to breathe.

The owner of the centre is being blamed for using welding equipment in a carpeted and centrally air conditioned premises. Apparently he was cautioned but paid no heed.

The fire brigade and the police reached the spot and were aided by local people in rescuing those trapped. Even as the centre continued to be engulfed in flames and thick smoke emanated, people were carried out to waiting ambulances. The sick and the dying were shifted to the Panihati state general hospital, the Balaram hospital and several nursing homes in the area.

The centre was totally gutted and was reduced to a twisted and mangled mass of steel frames. Forensic experts were called in to collect samples to probe how the fire started.

Those who revived after having lost consciousness said they found it difficult to breathe soon after the fire started and were trying to get out of the centre.

Till reports came in six people died among those admitted to the Panihati state general hospital while four died in the Balaram hospital. Two persons were removed to SSKM hospital, where one person died. Five people, who died at the Panihati hospital, have been identified.

Update: The death toll has risen to 13, according to latest reports

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