Kolkata: 9 killed in hotel fire, including a child and Bangladeshi National; police probe safety violations

Nine people, including a minor, died after a fire broke out at a hotel on Free School Street in Kolkata around 2 am.
9 killed in Kolkata hotel fire (Image via The Hindu)

In the early hours of Wednesday, 19th August, a massive fire broke out at a hotel in Kolkata, killing at least nine people, including a child. The fire started around 2 am on Free School Street near New Market, one of the busiest areas of the city, leaving several guests trapped inside the building.

According to the fire department, some of those killed were Bangladeshi nationals who had come to Kolkata for medical treatment, news agency ANI reported. One of the victims was also identified as a resident of Jharkhand.

Around 60 people rescued from hotel

The fire is believed to have started on the third floor of the hotel. An air-conditioner explosion is suspected to have triggered the blaze, although the exact cause is yet to be established.

Firefighters received information about the incident at around 2:07 am. Four fire tenders were immediately sent to the spot, while a disaster management team also joined the rescue operation. Dense smoke quickly spread through the hotel, making it difficult for guests to find their way out. Firefighters managed to rescue around 60 people from the building. Nine people, including a minor, were found unconscious and later declared dead at a hospital.

“The dense smoke made it difficult for firefighters to climb the staircase and reach the upper floors. While nine people have died, more deaths are feared,” a police officer told PTI. The officer added, “Our priority is to rescue those trapped and determine the reasons for the fire. The flames have been doused.”

Hotel owner, staff under police scanner

Preliminary investigations have reportedly found that the hotel did not have basic fire safety arrangements. Kolkata Police have registered a case and launched a search for the hotel owner and staff members, who are currently absconding.

Officials are investigating the exact cause of the fire as well as possible violations of fire safety rules at the hotel.

Another deadly hotel fire in West Bengal

The Kolkata tragedy comes just two days after another deadly hotel fire in West Bengal. On 17th August, at least eight people were killed and several others injured in a fire at Hotel Bideshini near the Tarapith temple in Birbhum district.

The fire broke out around 4:30 am on the ground floor of the five-storey hotel while most guests were asleep. The hotel was located near the holy pond beside the Tarapith temple.

Five members of a family from Meghalaya, including two children, were among those killed. The family was staying on the top floor and reportedly tried to escape together after noticing the fire, but encountered flames while coming downstairs.

Written by OpIndia Staff
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