“People were screaming from inside”
Topsia, Kolkata:
Every night, the owner of an illegal leather factory allegedly used to lock the daily-wage workers inside after the late-night shifts, so that no one would try to run away with the material meant for export. Or that no one would try to run away, period. They slept on the third floor, behind a collapsible iron gate that was kept locked.
One night this week, there was a fire in the building. Those who were trapped inside screamed in agony and banged on the doors.
The lucky ones were rescued. Others were injured, some critically. Ten people died. The rescuers are haunted by the experience.
