700 shanties gutted in fire

Around 700 shanties were gutted in a fire in Santoshpur-Maheshtala area on the outskirts of the city today, leaving more than a thousand people homeless.
Police said no injuries or casualties were reported but four persons were caught by locals from the spot and handed over to police for allegedly indulging in arson.
Seven fire engines went to the spot but could do little as the vehicles couldn't cross the railway line to reach the slum.
Last November, an eight-year-old child was charred to death and over 1,150 shanties gutted in fire in the slum.
Locals allege that it is a case of arson to evict them forcefully.