9 Bangladeshis Killed in Hotel Fire in Kolkata

Nine Bangladeshi nationals, including a child, were killed and six others injured in a fire at a hotel on Free School Street in Kolkata’s New Market area.

According to police and fire service officials, the fire broke out at around 2 a.m. on Tuesday. A preliminary investigation suggests that the blaze may have started after an air conditioner at the hotel exploded.

Police and fire service officials said all the victims were Bangladeshi nationals who had traveled to Kolkata for medical treatment.

New Market is one of Kolkata’s busiest and most densely populated areas. Four fire service units arrived at the scene shortly after the fire was reported and began firefighting and rescue operations. A team from the West Bengal state government’s disaster management department also joined the operation.

Firefighters said the blaze broke out on the third floor of the hotel. The narrow alley leading to the building prevented fire engines from entering the area. Firefighters initially battled the flames from outside and entered the hotel to conduct rescue operations after bringing the fire under partial control.

A police officer from New Market Police Station told Indian news agency PTI that the hotel rooms became filled with thick smoke after the fire broke out, making the rescue operation extremely difficult.

Several guests were rescued unconscious from different rooms. They were taken to hospital, where doctors declared nine of them dead. Officials warned that the death toll could rise.

The police officer also told PTI that none of the victims appeared to have suffered burn injuries. They are believed to have died from suffocation caused by the heavy smoke.

The incident comes just two days after a hotel fire in Tarapith town in West Bengal’s Birbhum district. At least eight people were killed in that fire, which was reportedly caused by an electrical short circuit.

The Kolkata hotel fire occurred before the shock of the Tarapith tragedy had subsided.