Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Kolkata Hotel Fire Kills Nine, Sparking Safety Investigation
A fire started at a hotel in Kolkata very early on Wednesday morning.
Nine people died, including a child.
Five of the people who died were from Bangladesh, and four were from the same family.
They may have been visiting Kolkata for medical treatment.
About 60 people were rescued, and other people were hurt.
Firefighters sent four vehicles to help fight the fire.
Investigators found that the hotel may not have had basic fire-safety measures.
The exact cause is still unknown, although an air-conditioner explosion was suggested at first.
A special team will investigate what happened and whether safety rules were followed.
A fire at Shika Inn in central Kolkata killed nine people, including a child.
The blaze began around 2 a.m. on August 19 under New Market police jurisdiction.
Five deceased people were Bangladeshi nationals, including four members of one family seeking medical treatment.
Around 60 people were rescued, while others were injured and four fire tenders responded.
A five-member SIT led by Bhagirath Ghosh will investigate the fire, safety compliance, and alleged violations.
- Who
- Nine hotel occupants died, including a child; five were Bangladeshi nationals. Police also named building owner Bireswar Mitra and hotel staff in a case.
- What
- A hotel fire killed nine people and prompted an investigation into the blaze and fire-safety compliance.
- When
- Around 2 a.m. on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.
- Where
- Shika Inn on Mirza Ghalib Street in central Kolkata, near Free School Street and New Market, under New Market Police Station.
- Why
- The cause has not been determined. An air-conditioner explosion was initially suggested, while preliminary findings indicated missing basic fire-safety measures.
Government Accountability Allegation
Incident-Specific Investigation
Responsibility for Safety Failures
Government Accountability Allegation
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and ministers Agnimitra Paul and Tapas Roy blamed an alleged legacy of negligence and corruption under the previous Trinamool Congress government, saying businesses were allowed to operate without adequate fire-safety enforcement and compliance audits.
Incident-Specific Investigation
The SIT is examining the circumstances of the fire and the hotel's compliance with safety norms. The exact cause and individual responsibility remain unconfirmed.
- Deaths
- Nine people, including a child
- Bangladeshi victims
- Five; four were from the same family
- Rescued
- Around 60 people
- Emergency response
- Four fire tenders responded
- SIT leader
- Bhagirath Ghosh, Assistant Commissioner of Police in the Kolkata Police Detective Department
- Safety findings
- Preliminary investigations found that the hotel lacked basic fire-safety measures
- Police case
- Registered against building owner Bireswar Mitra and hotel staff
Sources
Kolkata hotel fire: SIT formed to probe blaze that killed 9, including child
Tarapith Hotel Fire Tragedy: 9 Killed, Including Child; Fire Safety Lapses Found, SIT To Probe
Massive fire at Kolkata hotel: 9 people, including 5 Bangladeshi nationals, killed
