Six well-known restaurants inside Magma House on Park Street were shut down following a surprise inspection by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who cited serious fire safety lapses and described the building as a “tinderbox.”
According to a report by TaazaTV, the Chief Minister’s unannounced visit came just two days after a fire at Rituraj Hotel in Burrabazar claimed 15 lives, prompting renewed scrutiny of fire safety in commercial buildings across Kolkata.
At 24 Park Street, Banerjee pointed out the building’s narrow staircases, limited exits, and use of LPG cylinders in multiple restaurants as serious hazards. Following her inspection, Kolkata Police confiscated gas cylinders, forcing six establishments to halt operations: LMNOQ, Barbeque Nation, Black Cat, Moti Mahal, Destination 16, and one additional restaurant.
Banerjee stated that she has instructed the Kolkata Police Commissioner, the Mayor of Kolkata Municipal Corporation, and the State Fire Minister to conduct an urgent investigation. “Public safety cannot be compromised,” she said during the visit.
The crackdown at Magma House reflects growing administrative pressure to tighten enforcement after the Burrabazar tragedy, with more inspections expected across restaurants and hotels in high-footfall areas of the city.
