Kolkata Hotel Fire: Nine Dead, Including Four-Year-Old Child; Bangladeshis Among Victims

At least nine people, including a four-year-old child and two women, were killed after a massive fire broke out at a five-storey hotel on Mirza Ghalib Street in central Kolkata early Wednesday. Six others were seriously injured, while rescue teams managed to evacuate around 80 people from the building. The fire reportedly broke out at around 1:45 a.m. Fire and Emergency Services Minister Kaushik Choudhury confirmed that both Indian and Bangladeshi nationals were among those who died in the incident. Five fire engines, along with disaster management teams, reached the spot and launched rescue operations. However, thick smoke inside the building made it difficult for the teams to carry out the operation. According to the fire minister, most of the victims died from suffocation caused by smoke, with the absence of windows in the rooms believed to have worsened the situation. A short circuit is being considered the preliminary cause of the fire. Hotel Owner Missing, Police Begin Raids Police said the hotel owner fled after the incident. A case has been registered against him at the New Market police station, and raids have been launched to trace him. Fire Minister Kaushik Choudhury accused the hotel management of serious violations of safety regulations. He said strict action would be taken against those responsible for the alleged negligence. Fire Safety Audit Ordered Across State In the wake of the tragedy, the minister announced that fire safety audits would be conducted at hotels across the state. A forensic team has also collected evidence from the site as part of the investigation. According to the Chief Minister’s Office, Chief Minister Shubhendu Adhikari may visit the site of the incident soon.