Fire in Sevoke Road area kills 2, destroys shops

Representational purpose only

A fire from an unknown source on Sunday night killed two teenagers and destroyed four shops in the Sevoke Road area under of Ward 41 of Siliguri. The deceased, both about 14 years old, were sleeping in the roadside eatery they worked in when the mishap occurred. Locals said the two boys were from Bihar and used to sleep in the eatery, which the owner used to lock from outside for the night.
ACP (East) Pinaki Mazumdar said the blaze was brought under control by the fire brigade, but the bodies of the two boys had been charred beyond recognition by then. He said the eatery owner is absconding and a hunt is on for him. The cause of the fire is being ascertained, added the officer.
Ward 41 commissioner Ruben Roy said a similar accident had taken place in the area five years ago, but despite repeatedly urging the municipal authorities to clear the place of illegal roadside stalls, nothing has been done yet. He said the area, which is a busy business centre, must be cleared of such illegal structures that impede both vehicular and pedestrian movements. (EOIC)