Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Nine Killed in Kolkata Hotel Fire, Rescue Figures Differ
A fire started in a hotel in central Kolkata early Wednesday morning.
It began around 2 a.m., when many guests were asleep.
Nine people died, including two women and a child.
Some of the people who died were from Bangladesh, Meghalaya, and Alipurduar.
Firefighters controlled the blaze by about 4:30 a.m.
Reports gave different numbers for how many people escaped or were rescued.
One report said 28 people were rescued, while another said 60 were rescued and seven were being treated.
Police had not established the cause, but a police source and a guest said the hotel lacked proper firefighting equipment.
A fire broke out at a hotel on Mirza Ghalib Street in central Kolkata around 2 a.m. Wednesday.
Nine people, including two women and a child, were killed while many guests were sleeping.
At least three Bangladeshi nationals were among the dead; others came from Meghalaya and Alipurduar.
Reports differed on rescues: police said 28 people were rescued, while ANI reported 60 rescued and at least seven receiving treatment.
The blaze was controlled by about 4:30 a.m.; its cause remained unknown, while a police source and guest alleged inadequate firefighting systems.
- Who
- Hotel guests were affected; nine people died, including two women and a child. At least three victims were Bangladeshi nationals, while others were from Meghalaya and Alipurduar.
- What
- A hotel fire killed nine people and injured or affected other guests.
- When
- Around 2 a.m. on Wednesday; the fire was brought under control by about 4:30 a.m.
- Where
- A hotel on Mirza Ghalib Street, also called Free School Street, in central Kolkata near New Market.
- Why
- The exact cause had not been established. A police source and a Bangladeshi guest alleged that the hotel lacked a proper firefighting system.
Safety Concerns
Officially Unresolved Cause
Firefighting arrangements
Safety Concerns
A police source and guest Atiyar Rehman alleged that the hotel had no proper firefighting mechanism and that guests struggled to breathe through smoke.
Officially Unresolved Cause
Police had not established the exact cause of the fire, and the reports did not state a final official finding on the hotel’s safety systems.
Number of people rescued
Safety Concerns
One report, citing police, said 28 people were rescued and admitted to hospitals across Kolkata.
Officially Unresolved Cause
ANI reported that 60 people were rescued, with at least seven undergoing treatment, creating a discrepancy in the reported rescue figures.
- Deaths
- Nine people, including two women and a child
- Fire reported
- Around 2 a.m. on Wednesday
- Fire controlled
- About 4:30 a.m.
- Rescue figures
- Police said 28 people were rescued; ANI reported 60 rescued
- Treatment
- At least seven people were reported to be undergoing treatment
- Victim origins
- At least three Bangladeshi nationals; others from Meghalaya and Alipurduar
- Cause and safety
- The cause was undetermined; a police source and guest alleged inadequate firefighting systems
