Stephen Court was overloaded, ill-maintained

After the devastating fire subsided, the questions on people’s minds was: Why were so many lives lost? Could the fire have been prevented?

While the forensic team said the cause of the fire was a short circuit, it is believed the building had been put to mixed use — commercial and residential — putting a huge strain on electrical circuits. Some offices, it is learnt, were using additional electricity above the meter load.

The load of ACs and elevators on the building, coupled with lack of maintenance had turned Stephen Court into a potential tinderbox. The building’s main staircase, made of wood, was destroyed in the blaze.

The forensic team suggested that the fifth and sixth floors be demolished. Fire minister Pratim Chatterjee admitted there had been a delay in starting rescue operations but this was because hydraulic ladders had to be brought from far. Moreover, lakhs of onlookers blocked the way and fire engines found it difficult to reach the spot quickly. It seems the caretakers had also locked the gate to the roof, as a result of which many were prevented from escaping.

The Kolkata Municipal Corporation has declared Stephen Court a Grade-II heritage building. The two top floors, where the fire broke out, were illegally added to the building in 1984 and had 32 apartments.