Tragic Fire Claims Nine Lives at Kolkata Hotel, Including Two Women and a Child

A devastating fire at a hotel on Mirza Ghalib Street in central Kolkata has left nine people dead, including two women and a child. The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, with the flames reported around 2 AM. Emergency services managed to control the fire by 4:30 AM, but not before it claimed multiple lives, prompting an urgent investigation into the cause.

According to police sources, among those who perished were at least three Bangladeshi nationals, with the remaining victims identified as residents from Meghalaya and Alipurduar in West Bengal. Local officials noted that the hotel was situated in a densely packed area near New Market, a location often frequented by visitors seeking medical treatment in the city.

A survivor from Bangladesh shared a harrowing account of the ordeal, stating that the hotel lacked a proper firefighting system. “We woke up struggling to breathe in the smoke,” he recounted. “We somehow managed to escape.” This highlights the pressing concerns regarding fire safety standards in many establishments catering to tourists in the region, especially given the influx of patients from neighboring countries.

The Kolkata Police confirmed that a total of 60 individuals were rescued from the hotel, but the dense smoke significantly hampered the efforts of firefighters, making it challenging to access the upper floors of the building. Eyewitness reports indicated chaos as guests scrambled to find safety amidst the thick smoke.

Local authorities have vowed to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident to ascertain the cause of the fire and to assess compliance with safety regulations at the establishment. This tragic event not only raises questions about fire safety protocols in hotels but also underscores the need for stricter enforcement of such measures to prevent future occurrences.

Source: scroll.in