Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Kolkata Police Probes New Market Hotel Fire Tragedy
A fire started in a hotel in central Kolkata late Tuesday night.
It began on the third floor shortly before 2 a.m.
Thick smoke filled the rooms while many guests were asleep.
Nine people died in the tragedy.
Firefighters and police came to help, but the lane was too narrow for fire engines to go far inside.
Police have opened a case and created a special team to investigate.
Officials said there may have been problems with building rules, hotel permissions and fire-safety clearances.
They also plan to check hotels under the Kolkata Municipal Corporation.
A New Market hotel fire in central Kolkata killed nine people after breaking out late Tuesday night.
Police registered a suo motu case and formed a special investigation committee led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Detective Department.
The Bengal Fire Services Department also filed a formal complaint, while authorities searched for the buildings’ and hotels’ owners.
Officials cited possible building-rule, licensing and fire-safety lapses, including multiple hotels and air-conditioning units in one building.
Firefighters faced difficulties reaching the narrow lane and rescued people after smoke trapped sleeping guests inside the hotel.
- Who
- Nine people died; Kolkata police, fire services and government officials are investigating the incident.
- What
- A hotel fire killed nine people and prompted a suo motu police case and a special investigation committee.
- When
- The fire broke out late Tuesday night, with the blaze reported shortly before 2 a.m.; officials visited the site Wednesday morning.
- Where
- A hotel on Free School Street in central Kolkata’s New Market area, in a narrow lane near adjoining establishments.
- Why
- The reported cause is not established; officials are investigating possible building-rule, licensing and fire-safety lapses.
Government Officials’ Allegations
Investigation-Based Accountability
Responsibility for alleged lapses
Government Officials’ Allegations
Minister Agnimitra Paul blamed the erstwhile Trinamool regime and the Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation for allowing building-rule inconsistencies, and questioned how hotels received trade licenses and fire-safety clearances.
Investigation-Based Accountability
Police and fire authorities have initiated formal investigations and a committee to determine how the hotels received permissions and whether violations contributed to the tragedy; responsibility has not yet been established.
- Death toll
- Nine people
- Fire location
- A hotel on Free School Street in central Kolkata’s New Market area
- Fire reported
- Shortly before 2 a.m.
- Fire brigade alert
- 2:07 a.m.
- Police action
- A suo motu case and a special investigation committee
- Committee leader
- Deputy Commissioner of Police, Detective Department
- Additional complaint
- A formal complaint from the Bengal Fire Services Department
- Planned review
- An audit of hotels under the Kolkata Municipal Corporation