Tragic Hotel Fire in Kolkata Claims Nine Lives
Devastating Fire Incident
Photo: @ians_india/X
Kolkata, August 19: A tragic fire erupted at a hotel on Mirza Ghalib Street in central Kolkata early Wednesday morning, resulting in the deaths of at least nine individuals, including a woman and a child.
Firefighters from the nearby fire services department quickly responded to the scene, recovering the nine deceased from the hotel, which suffered extensive damage due to the blaze.
A fire services official confirmed that among the victims were a woman and a child, while six others were transported to a local hospital in critical condition.
In addition to the fire services, officers from the New Market Police Station and members of the state disaster management team arrived promptly after being alerted.
The hotel is situated in a narrow alley, limiting access for fire engines.
“Initially, our firefighters attempted to extinguish the flames from outside. Once it was safe, they entered the hotel to conduct rescue operations. We suspect a short circuit may have caused the fire, but a thorough investigation will follow, including input from forensic experts,” stated a fire services official on-site.
Guests were reportedly asleep when the fire started, and witnesses noted that flames were not visible from outside at first, only thick black smoke.
It has been reported that the hotel’s entrance and exit were quite narrow, leading to panic among guests. So far, around 60 residents have been evacuated, with several losing consciousness and requiring medical attention.
Hospital sources indicated that the deceased showed no signs of burns or injuries, leading doctors to believe suffocation was the cause of death. The exact cause will be determined after autopsies are conducted.
Concerns are being raised regarding the hotel's fire safety measures, with police questioning whether adequate firefighting systems were in place. The area surrounding the hotel has been cordoned off as investigations commence.
As the fire broke out, the hotel’s elevator was disabled, and residents attempted to escape via the stairs, but many struggled to find an exit. The increasing smoke led to suffocation, causing some to lose consciousness, according to initial reports.
In a related incident, a similar fire at a hotel in Tarapith, Birbhum district, resulted in the deaths of seven people on Monday. Following that incident, the hotel owner and his son were arrested by local authorities.