Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Balcony Helps Twelve Alipurduar Pilgrims Escape Tarapith Hotel Fire
A family group of 12 people was staying at a hotel in Tarapith.
A fire started early on Monday morning.
One man woke up after hearing people shout that there was a fire.
Five people climbed down from a balcony using a tree.
Four others escaped with the help of a ladder.
Three people were too frightened to use the ladder.
Firefighters rescued those three people through an emergency exit.
Everyone survived, although they suffered minor injuries and lost belongings that became soaked.
The group said the balconies helped save their lives.
Twelve people from Alipurduar and Cooch Behar escaped a hotel fire in Tarapith, including two minors.
The group was staying in two rooms at Bideshini Hotel when the fire began around 5 a.m. Monday.
Five people escaped from a balcony using a nearby tree, while four others climbed down a ladder.
Firefighters rescued three remaining relatives, including a 17-year-old with a slight physical disability.
The survivors returned home Monday night, describing the balcony as crucial to their escape and saying they remained traumatised.
- Who
- Twelve people from Alipurduar and Cooch Behar, including two minors, escaped the fire.
- What
- A group staying at Bideshini Hotel escaped a major fire, using a balcony, tree and ladder before firefighters rescued three people.
- When
- The fire broke out around 5 a.m. on Monday; the group returned home Monday night.
- Where
- Bideshini Hotel in Tarapith, Birbhum.
- Why
- The fire spread through the hotel, forcing the guests to find emergency ways out.
- Survivors
- 12 people
- Hotel
- Bideshini Hotel
- Location
- Tarapith, Birbhum
- Fire discovery
- Around 5 a.m. Monday
- Balcony escape
- Five people climbed down using a tree
- Ladder escape
- Four people climbed down using a ladder
- Rescue
- Firefighters rescued three people through an emergency exit