One person was killed and over 10 shops were gutted in a major fire that broke out in Kolkata early Tuesday, an official said.

The blaze was discovered at 3.12 am in the shops on east Kolkata's Bagmari Road.

As many as seven fire tenders were pressed into service. The fire was brought under control after about five hours, the fire department official said.

"A partly burnt man was discovered at the spot. The man appeared to be unconscious. He was rushed to the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital and he succumbed to the burns. From initial investigation, it turns out he was a local and owner of one of the shops," the official said.

He said a probe is on to ascertain the cause of the fire.