Kolkata Hotel Fire Claims Lives of Nine Bangladeshis

Bangla Press Desk:  At least nine people, including a child, have been killed after a fire broke out at a hotel in Kolkata, with all the victims identified as Bangladeshi nationals, NDTV reports.

The victims had travelled to Kolkata for medical treatment, news agency ANI reported, citing the fire department.

The fire broke out around 2am on Wednesday at a hotel on Free School Street near New Market, one of Kolkata’s busiest and most densely populated areas.

Initial reports suggest the blaze may have been triggered by an air-conditioner explosion, although the exact cause has not yet been confirmed.

Four fire tenders rushed to the scene after the fire was reported, while a disaster management team also joined the rescue operation.

Firefighters evacuated guests trapped inside the building and brought 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 news agency PTI.

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

The Kolkata hotel fire came two days after another deadly blaze at a hotel in West Bengal’s Birbhum district.

At least eight people were killed and several others injured when a fire broke out at Hotel Bideshini in Tarapith in the early hours of Aug 17.