Nine persons were killed and four others sustained serious burns when a major fire engulfed a market housing a godown-cum-office complex in central Kolkata's Sealdah area early today.
Fifteen persons were rescued by firefighters.
The fire was detected at 3.50 AM when the victims were fast asleep, they said.
The injured were rushed to state-run NRS and Medical College hospitals.
Fire Services Minister Javed Khan told PTI that six persons were brought out from the burning godown in an unconscious state by the firemen, who were trying to locate if others were trapped inside.
Khan said 26 fire tenders fought the blaze for over three hours to bring the situation under control.
Firemen and police personnel cordoned off the area to facilitate fire fighting operations.
The cause of the fire and the extent of damage were under investigation, police said.
