A massive fire at a six-story hotel in Kolkata’s Burrabazar area has claimed at least 14 lives, including two children. The blaze, which started around 7:30 p.m. local time, was brought under control by 1 a.m. the following day after a massive rescue operation involving 10 fire tenders.
Chaos and Panic
Guests at the Rituraj hotel were seen fleeing to the rooftop, using their phone flashlights to signal for help. Video footage showed people climbing out onto narrow window ledges, desperate to escape the inferno. Firefighters used hydraulic ladders to rescue those trapped.
The majority of victims died from asphyxiation, with one fatality occurring when a guest fell from the building while attempting to escape. Two people remain critically injured. The exact cause of the fire is still unclear.
Investigation Underway
Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the incident. The inquiry will examine the hotel’s safety measures and the challenges guests faced during the evacuation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on social media, announcing that the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) will provide ₹200,000 to the families of each deceased victim. Injured individuals will receive ₹50,000. Local authorities and politicians have also responded, with West Bengal’s Minister for Social Welfare, Sashi Panja describing the incident as “tragic”. Opposition leader Sujan Chakraborty criticized the state government, calling for stricter fire safety measures.
The Indian Express and BBC reported on the incident, providing additional context on the rescue efforts and the ongoing investigation.