1 week ago
Kolkata hotel fire prompts notices for 26 establishments
A fire happened at Shikha Inn in Kolkata.
Nine people died, mostly because they could not breathe through the smoke.
After the fire, officials checked other hotels nearby.
They found concerns about fire-safety arrangements at 26 hotels and guesthouses.
Seventeen of those establishments received notices on Friday.
They must explain themselves within 24 hours or may be ordered to close.
Police arrested the hotel’s leaseholder, while the original owner is still missing.
The government also ordered a wider safety audit of hotels in the area.
The West Bengal Fire Services Department issued notices to 17 more hotels near Mirza Ghalib Street.
The notices bring the total number of hotels and guesthouses served to 26.
Authorities have 24 hours to respond or risk possible closure of their establishments.
Nine people, including seven Bangladeshi residents, died in the Shikha Inn fire.
The state announced a special safety audit, while police and fire officials filed separate cases.
- Who
- The West Bengal Fire Services Department, police, hotel authorities, and political leaders are involved; nine people died.
- What
- Officials issued show-cause notices to 17 more hotels, bringing the total to 26, after a fatal fire at Shikha Inn.
- Where
- The incident and inspections involve Mirza Ghalib Street and surrounding areas in Central Kolkata.
- When
- The fire occurred on the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday; 17 notices were issued on Friday and nine on Thursday.
- Why
- Officials alleged that the hotels lacked adequate fire-safety facilities following the deaths at Shikha Inn.
Officials’ enforcement response
BJP’s accountability criticism
Responsibility for safety failures
Officials’ enforcement response
The Fire Services Department issued notices, threatened possible closures, and the government ordered a special audit after alleging inadequate fire-safety facilities.
BJP’s accountability criticism
The BJP blamed the previous Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool government for negligence in the Mirza Ghalib Street fire.
Hotel licensing
Officials’ enforcement response
Suvendu Adhikari and Agnimitra Paul questioned how the hotels obtained trade licences without minimum safety provisions.
BJP’s accountability criticism
The BJP’s criticism focused on alleged negligence by the previous administration in allowing the situation to continue.
Key facts
- Additional notices
- Seventeen hotels received show-cause notices on Friday.
- Total establishments notified
- Twenty-six hotels and guesthouses in and around the area have received notices.
- Response deadline
- The 17 establishments notified on Friday must respond within 24 hours.
- Death toll
- Nine people died, including six males, two women, and one child.
- Bangladeshi victims
- Seven of those killed were residents of Bangladesh.
- Arrest
- Leaseholder Abu Zafar was arrested and remanded to police custody until September 2.
- Government response
- West Bengal announced a special audit of hotels, lodges, and guesthouses in the area.
Sources
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