- Nine people, including a child, killed in hotel fire in central Kolkata
- Around 60 guests rescued during overnight operation
- Police say hotel lacked basic fire safety measures
- Owner and staff absconding; case registered
GG News Bureau
Kolkata, 19th Aug: At least nine people, including a child, were killed after a massive fire broke out at a hotel on Free School Street near New Market in central Kolkata during the early hours of Wednesday, triggering a large-scale rescue operation.
The fire erupted around 2:00 am, trapping several guests inside the building. Firefighters rushed to the spot after receiving an alert at 2:07 am, while a disaster management team joined the rescue efforts. Around 60 people were safely evacuated from the hotel.
According to the fire department, Bangladeshi nationals, who had travelled to Kolkata for medical treatment, were among those killed. One of the deceased has also been identified as a resident of Jharkhand.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the hotel allegedly lacked basic fire safety measures. Police have registered a case and launched a search for the hotel owner and staff members, who are reportedly absconding.
Initial findings suggest the blaze may have started on the third floor, possibly due to an air-conditioner explosion, although the exact cause is yet to be confirmed.
Officials said dense smoke hampered rescue operations, making it difficult for firefighters to reach the upper floors. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of additional casualties as the investigation continues.
The incident comes just two days after another deadly hotel fire in Tarapith, Birbhum district, in which eight people lost their lives.
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