Archive · 27 Aug 2026
Woman Dies After Howrah Housing Complex Fire; Residents Hospitalised
A fire started at the Uttarayan housing complex in Howrah on Wednesday afternoon.
Thick smoke quickly filled the building and trapped some residents.
Firefighters, neighbours and bystanders worked together to get people out.
A 72-year-old woman, identified in reports as Gopa Mukhopadhyay or Gopa Mukherjee, was found injured inside her flat.
She was taken to a hospital and died there, with doctors reportedly citing asphyxia.
Other residents suffered from smoke inhalation or burns.
Officials think an electrical short circuit may have started the fire, but this has not been proven.
The building was closed temporarily while authorities investigated its safety arrangements.
A 72-year-old woman died after being rescued from a fire at Uttarayan housing complex in Andul, Howrah.
The fire began around 1 p.m. Wednesday, with reports placing the woman’s flat on the second or third floor.
About 12 residents were initially stranded, while firefighters, residents and bystanders helped evacuate others.
Several residents suffered smoke inhalation or burns and were taken to hospitals or moved to a nearby building.
Officials suspect an electrical short circuit, but a forensic inquiry will determine the exact cause and assess fire-safety compliance.
- Who
- Gopa Mukhopadhyay, also reported as Gopa Mukherjee, 72, died; several other residents were injured or affected by smoke.
- What
- A residential-building fire killed one resident and led to the evacuation and hospitalisation of several others.
- When
- Wednesday afternoon at around 1 p.m.; the blaze was brought under control in nearly an hour.
- Where
- Uttarayan housing complex in the Ankurhati or Ambagan area of Andul, Howrah district, West Bengal.
- Why
- The cause remains under investigation, although fire officials suspect an electrical short circuit; the building's fire-safety compliance is also being examined.
Preliminary Official Account
Pending Investigation
Cause of the fire
Preliminary Official Account
Fire department officials said initial indications pointed to an electrical short circuit, possibly spreading through a false ceiling.
Pending Investigation
Officials said the exact cause had not been established and that a forensic report would be needed.
Scale of the emergency
Preliminary Official Account
Authorities said the rapid arrival of fire tenders and prompt evacuation prevented a potentially larger disaster.
Pending Investigation
The building's reported single staircase, lack of a separate emergency exit and inadequate fire-safety arrangements raised concerns about how vulnerable residents were.
- Deceased
- A 72-year-old woman identified as Gopa Mukhopadhyay in one report and Gopa Mukherjee in another
- Location
- Uttarayan housing complex, Andul, Howrah district
- Fire reported
- Around 1 p.m. on Wednesday
- Residents affected
- About 12 people were initially stranded; several others were evacuated
- Fire response
- Reports cited three to five fire engines, with one report specifying five fire tenders
- Suspected cause
- An electrical short circuit, pending forensic confirmation
- Safety concerns
- Officials reportedly found inadequate arrangements, including one staircase and no separate emergency exit
- Investigation measures
- The apartment was sealed, electricity was disconnected, and the complex was to remain closed for three days
