A devastating fire has gutted about 600 shanties in east Kolkata, causing huge damage to a large number of people who were rendered homeless and lost all their belongings.

No casualty was reported as about 15 fire engines controlled the blaze on Sunday night after fighting the flames for nearly five hours.

Fire brigade sources said the blaze started in a slum at Panchanna Gram and razed about 600 hutments in a few hours.

The probable cause was a gas cylinder explosion.

The fire, which broke out at about 6.30 pm, spread quickly among the bamboo huts with thatched roofs.

"We have lost everything. A huge quantity of garments that we sew and supply to boutiques and stores were destroyed. We are devastated," said a resident, wailing uncontrollably.

Senior politicians and some state ministers supervised the fire control operation.

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