At least nine including Bangladeshi nationals killed, six injured in massive fire at Kolkata hotel

Kolkata Hotel Fire Kills At Least Nine

Theindiapostdaily.com – A catastrophic fire tore through a five-storey hotel in Kolkata’s New Market area in the early hours of Wednesday, leaving at least nine including Bangladeshi nationals dead and six others injured. The blaze erupted around 1:45 am, sending thick columns of smoke billowing into the night sky and triggering a frantic emergency response across the surrounding neighbourhood. Residents woke to the sound of sirens and saw flames licking from upper-floor windows within minutes.

Rescue Operation and Casualty Toll

Five fire tenders raced to the scene within minutes of the first alarm, joined swiftly by police units and personnel from the Disaster Management Department. In total, roughly 80 occupants were pulled to safety from the burning structure. The six injured were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment of burns and smoke inhalation. Neighbouring residents formed informal chains to help carry belongings and guide trapped guests toward exits while crews worked.

Navigating the building proved extremely difficult. Dense smoke choked the stairwells, forcing crews to work in near-total darkness on the upper floors. A police officer briefed reporters on the ground about the conditions inside:

“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.”

The same officer added that extinguishing the flames and tracing their origin remained the immediate operational priorities for the responding teams:

“Our priority is to rescue those trapped and determine the reasons for the fire. The flames have been doused, but the building is very, very hot. The cooling process is underway.”

Victims, Official Reaction, and Cause

Fire Department sources, cited by ANI, indicated that several of the deceased were Bangladeshi nationals who had travelled to Kolkata specifically for medical treatment. Families in both countries were notified in the hours following the disaster, and consular channels were activated to assist with identification and repatriation.

Fire Department Minister Kaushik Chowdhury arrived at the scene and described the interior as devastated. The building housed multiple hotel operations stacked across its floors, complicating both the rescue effort and the subsequent investigation.

“We are trying to establish their identities. The situation inside this building is very bad. There are several hotels inside this building. I am shocked to see what was going on here.”

On the probable cause, the minister suggested a short circuit as a possible trigger while emphasising that a full forensic examination would be needed to confirm the origin. He also highlighted systemic lapses in the building’s maintenance and upkeep:

“The building management did not comply with basic safety and construction norms. It is alleged that there were several irregularities in the functioning of the hotel.”

Owner Missing; Police Open Formal Probe

Police confirmed that the building’s owner has gone missing since the disaster. A case has been registered at the New Market police station, and proceedings against the owner have been initiated. Officers conducted raids at the owner’s residence in an effort to locate him. A broader investigation is now under way to establish the exact circumstances that gave rise to the fire and to determine whether safety regulations were breached in the hotel’s day-to-day operations. Local authorities have indicated that additional inspections of nearby multi-tenant buildings will follow in the coming days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where did the Kolkata hotel fire occur? The blaze broke out in a five-storey hotel in the New Market area of Kolkata, West Bengal, in the early hours of Wednesday around 1:45 am.

How many people were killed or injured? At least nine people died, including Bangladeshi nationals who had come to the city for medical care. Six others were injured and transported to hospital for treatment.

What is the suspected cause of the fire? Fire Department Minister Kaushik Chowdhury suggested a short circuit as a possible trigger, though a full forensic investigation is required to confirm the exact cause.

What safety concerns were raised by officials? Authorities alleged that the building management failed to comply with basic safety and construction norms and that irregularities existed in the hotel’s operations.

What happened to the building’s owner? The owner went missing after the disaster. Police registered a formal case at the New Market station and launched raids at his residence to locate him for questioning.