Timeline: AMRI Hospital fire in Kolkata

Kolkata: It was at 3:30 am on Friday morning that the devastating fire that would claim more than 70 lives began in the basement of the AMRI Hospital. Relatives of the victims though say the hospital knew that the fire had begun as early as 1 am. But it was only at 4:45 am that the first fire tender reached the spot.

Nearly 30 fire tenders were pressed in to service. But it was too late, as the flames had spread, and thick black smoke engulfed the entire annexe building of AMRI Hospital - choking to death nearly half of the total number of patients admitted.

Planning and Development Minister, West Bengal Subroto Mukherjee said, "It's a horror sight. Every bed has a dead body."

At about 7:30 am, the dead and the injured began to be brought out of the premises - even as locals plunged to rescue as many as possible along with disaster management personnel and firefighters.

Two and a half hours later at 10 am, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made an appearance to oversee rescue operations - announcing that tough steps would be taken against those responsible.

At 1 pm, hospital authorities addressed the media but shied away from directly owning up to the inadequate fire safety equipment within the premises.

Almost 12 hours later at around 2:30 pm, Mamata Banerjee - who doubles up as the state's health minister - announced that the government cancelled the hospital's operating licences.

By evening at 5 pm all 6 directors of AMRI Hospital including RS Goenka and SK Todi surrendered to the Kolkata Police at its Lal Bazaar headquarters.

It's been more than 18 hours since the fire first broke out at the AMRI hospital and firefighters are still struggling. The arrest of 6 directors could be a minor consolation for those who lost there dear ones in this catastrophe. But the real consolation will come only when offenders are punished accordingly, if found guilty.

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