Evening fire at Olypub: Patrons evacuated, iconic restobar closed for indefinite period

KOLKATA: Olypub, the iconic restobar on Park Street, was shut for indefinite period after a fire broke out at the restaurant’s kitchen on Monday. The fire started around 5pm on the ground floor of the three-storey building, while the restobar’s ground and mezzanine floors were teeming with the usual evening crowd.
All the patrons were immediately evacuated and nobody was injured, police sources said.
Locals noticed thick black smoke billowing out of the kitchen on the rear portion of the bar. Police suspect a leakage in the LPG pipe had sparked the fire. Three fire tenders rushed to the spot and controlled the fire. “Our officials reached the spot minutes after receiving the call and brought the fire under control by 5.20pm. All the customers and employees were safely evacuated,” said a fire official.
“The bar-cum-restaurant can reopen only after they receive a no-objection certificate from the fire department. Before that, our officers will visit the restaurant to ascertain the reason behind the fire and inspect the fire safety preparedness. All business establishments need to be more alert, especially after the Surat incident, where 16 kids were killed while trying to escape a fire at a tutorial,” said state fire minister Sujit Bose.
In November, 2014, another fire had broken out on the mezzanine floor of the restaurant while the pub was shut for the occasion of Muharram. That time, the pub remained closed for more than three weeks. It opened again after installing fire alarms, sprinklers and hydrants.
Run by Olypub Private Ltd, the restobar is a hit among regulars, who meet here for a quick drink or two. Established in 1947, it was earlier known as Olympia Bar and Restaurant. In 1981, it was renamed as Olypub and became famous for booze and food at pocket-friendly prices. Over the years, the restobar has attained a cult status not only because of its food or liquor, but because of its adda sessions.
Zarin Tangri, one of the two directors of Olypub Pvt Ltd claimed that they had all fire safety arrangements in place and would inspect them on Monday along with police and fire officials and thereafter would seek a noobjection certificate.
“What happened today at Olypub is unfortunate, since it’s a public place and we are accountable for any mishap. But thankfully, no one was injured and the fire was spotted and doused in time. We will visit the restaurant tomorrow with the concerned officials and based on their recommendations and suggestions we will apply for reopening of the restaurant following all protocols,” said Tangri.