West Bengal: Fire breaks out at hotel in Birbhum, claims lives of 7 people

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At least seven people were killed and several others critically injured after a major fire broke out at Hotel Bideshinii in Tarapith, West Bengal’s Birbhum district, early Monday morning, 17th August. The fire started around 4.30 am on the ground floor of the G+4 hotel, located beside a pond and close to Tarapith police station.

Most of the guests were asleep when the fire broke out. Toxic smoke from the burning false ceiling, fibreglass, and other inflammable materials in the reception area quickly moved to the upper floors. Officials said all seven victims died from suffocation after inhaling the smoke.

Guests trapped by thick smoke

Several guests who woke up after the fire started became confused and struggled to find an escape route. Munmun Mondal, a guest who escaped, said the hotel suddenly filled with smoke and people could not breathe or find a way out immediately.

Firefighters reached the spot and brought the fire under control. The injured were rescued and taken to Rampurhat Government Medical College and Hospital for treatment.

Hotel officials said an electrical short circuit may have caused the fire, but the exact reason is yet to be confirmed. Authorities are investigating the incident and assessing the damage.

Questions over fire safety

The incident has raised concerns over the hotel’s fire safety arrangements. Officials said there was little or no proper fire detection and prevention equipment.

The fire occurred on the last Monday of Shravan, when Tarapith was crowded with devotees visiting the temple town. Devotees visit the Tarapith temple, where Maa Tara is worshipped, while Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of Chandrachur.

Priya Roy, a local BJP worker who reached the spot to assist in the rescue, said the guests were sleeping because of the early morning rain and people nearby initially did not understand what had happened.

Delhi Malviya Nagar fire

A similar tragedy occurred in Delhi’s Malviya Nagar on 3rd July, when a fire at the Flourish Stay B&B killed 21 people, including 17 foreign nationals, and injured more than 37 others.

The fire started in the basement of a five-storey building and spread quickly. Police later registered an FIR for culpable homicide and investigated fire safety violations, including the lack of a required Fire NOC and the building’s narrow entry-exit point.

The exact cause of the Delhi fire was also being investigated, with officials examining possible electrical faults in the basement restaurant area.

Written by OpIndia Staff
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