2 weeks ago

Kolkata Hotel Fire Probe Begins After Nine Deaths

Kolkata Hotel Fire Probe Begins After Nine Deaths
Kolkata hotel fire: Seven-member Kolkata Police team begins investigation · thestatesman.com

A fire broke out at a hotel in Kolkata's New Market area.

Nine people died in the incident.

Five of the victims were from Bangladesh and belonged to one family.

Police have created a special team of seven officers to investigate.

Early findings suggest an electrical short circuit may have started the fire.

Investigators are also checking whether the hotel lacked required safety equipment and permissions.

The hotel's owner was injured but has not yet been found.

Police have closed off the building while forensic and other teams collect evidence.

Key facts

Deaths
Nine people were killed.
Investigation team
A seven-member Special Investigation Team is led by Assistant Commissioner Bhagirath Ghosh.
Victims identified
Five deceased people were confirmed as Bangladeshi nationals from one family; two others came from Bihar and Siliguri.
Suspected cause
The initial probe points to a possible short circuit.
Hotel layout
The hotel reportedly had nine rooms, and bodies were recovered from four rooms.
Owner
Owner Bireswar Mitra sustained burn injuries and remains untraceable.
Police action
Police detained two employees, cordoned off the building, and registered a suo motu case.

Quotes

Kolkata Police official

Kolkata Police official involved in the investigation

“While the initial probe suggests a short circuit, we are examining the underlying cause of the electrical fault. We are also investigating why the fire was confined to the third floor of the building. For now, police have prohibited entry into the entire structure.”
thestatesman.com

Sources

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