What Caused the Fire at the Bengal CEO's Office During Kaliganj Bypoll Counting?
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Synopsis
A fire incident at the Chief Electoral Officer's office in Kolkata raised alarms during the Kaliganj Assembly bypoll counting. Fortunately, the flames were controlled quickly, with no injuries reported. As the counting unfolds, Trinamool Congress is projected to clinch a significant victory, adding to the political drama of the day.
Key Takeaways
- Fire quickly controlled at CEO's office during counting.
- No injuries or damage reported.
- Trinamool Congress likely to secure a significant win.
- Investigation launched to determine fire cause.
- Media presence heightened during counting.
Kolkata, June 23 (NationPress) As the counting for the Kaliganj Assembly constituency bypoll in West Bengal was in full swing on Monday, a fire incident occurred at the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) located on Strand Road in Central Kolkata.
Fortunately, the blaze was extinguished swiftly.
At the time of reporting, there were no casualties, injuries, or damages to property or data. Officials from the state fire services department speculated that a short circuit might have triggered the fire.
The CEO’s office was unusually crowded that day due to the ongoing counting for the bypoll results. Alongside the regular staff, a significant number of media personnel were present to gather updates on the counting progress.
Suddenly, attendees noticed smoke emanating from the data center of another office situated on the first floor of the building. Shortly thereafter, flames were observed within the data center.
This sparked panic, prompting everyone in the building, including CEO Manoj Kumar Agarwal and senior officials, to evacuate to the ground floor. Security staff quickly initiated firefighting efforts using available extinguishers.
Fire tenders from a nearby station soon arrived, and the situation was brought under complete control.
Agarwal assured that this fire incident would not disrupt the regular operations of his office, including the counting process.
Investigations have commenced to determine the cause of the fire.
Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress is on track for a substantial victory in the Kaliganj Assembly bypoll, with party candidate Alifa Ahmed increasing her lead as the counting proceeds. The bypoll has revealed a tight race for the second position between the BJP and Congress, while Trinamool appears to be heading towards a decisive win, with a total of 23 rounds of counting scheduled.
Point of View
Incidents like this, occurring amid significant political events, highlight the urgency for robust safety protocols in public offices. The rapid response of the fire services is commendable, ensuring that the electoral process remains uninterrupted during such emergencies.
NationPress
23/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the fire at the CEO's office?
Officials suspect a short circuit may have triggered the fire.
Was anyone injured in the fire?
No injuries or casualties were reported during the incident.
How did the fire impact the counting process?
The fire incident did not affect the ongoing counting process.
What is the current status of the bypoll results?
Trinamool Congress is leading, with candidate Alifa Ahmed widening her lead.
How many rounds of counting are scheduled?
A total of 23 rounds of counting are planned for the bypoll.
