Nine Killed in India's Kolkata Hotel Fire, Including a Child

KOLKATA, Aug 19: At least nine people, including a child, were killed after a massive fire broke out at a hotel in Kolkata in the early hours of Wednesday, triggering a major rescue operation.

The fire erupted around 2 a.m. at a hotel on Free School Street near New Market, one of the city's busiest and most densely populated areas. Several guests were trapped inside as thick smoke quickly spread through the building.

According to the fire department, Bangladeshi nationals were among those killed. They had reportedly travelled to Kolkata for medical treatment, news agency ANI reported.

Preliminary investigations indicated that the hotel lacked basic fire safety measures. Kolkata Police have registered a case and launched a search for the hotel owner and staff members, who are reportedly on the run.

Around 60 people were rescued from the building during the operation. Nine people, including a minor, were found unconscious and later declared dead at a hospital. One of the victims has been identified as a resident of Jharkhand.

Initial reports suggested that the fire broke out on the third floor and may have been triggered by an air-conditioner explosion. However, authorities have yet to confirm the exact cause of the blaze.

Firefighters were alerted at around 2:07 a.m., after which four fire tenders were dispatched to the scene. A disaster management team also joined the rescue operation.

Firefighters faced difficulties reaching the upper floors as dense smoke filled the stairway. They worked to evacuate trapped guests before eventually bringing the blaze under control.

"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," a police officer told PTI.

"Our priority is to rescue those trapped and determine the reasons for the fire. The flames have been doused," the officer added.

The Kolkata tragedy comes just two days after another deadly hotel fire in West Bengal's Birbhum district. At least eight people were killed and several others injured after a blaze broke out at Hotel Bideshini in Tarapith in the early hours of August 17.

That fire started around 4:30 a.m. on the ground floor of the five-storey hotel while most guests were asleep. Five members of a family from Meghalaya, including two children, were among those killed.

The family was staying on the hotel's top floor and reportedly attempted to escape with the children after noticing the fire, but encountered the flames while trying to descend.

Those injured in the Tarapith fire were rescued and taken to Rampurhat Government Medical College and Hospital for treatment.