Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Kolkata Hotel Fire Kills Nine, AC Blast Suspected
A fire started at a hotel in Kolkata early Wednesday morning.
Nine people died, including a child.
Six other people were taken to a hospital after being hurt or breathing in smoke.
The guests had come to Kolkata for medical treatment, and reports identified some or all of the victims as Bangladeshi nationals.
The fire trapped people inside the hotel and spread to several rooms.
Smoke made it difficult for firefighters to reach the upper floors.
Firefighters, police and disaster workers rescued people and put out the flames.
Investigators suspect an air conditioner may have burst, but they have not confirmed that yet.
The hotel owner is facing a police case while officials investigate.
Nine people, including a male child, died in a Kolkata hotel fire early Wednesday.
Reports said six others were injured or became ill after inhaling smoke and were hospitalized.
The victims had reportedly traveled from Bangladesh to Kolkata for medical treatment, though one report said only some were Bangladeshi nationals.
The fire began around 1:45–2:00 a.m. at a hotel near New Market and spread across several rooms.
An air-conditioner burst is suspected, but authorities have not confirmed the cause; a case was registered against the hotel owner.
- Who
- Nine hotel guests died, including six men, two women and one male child; six others were injured or affected by smoke. Reports differed on whether all or only some victims were Bangladeshi nationals.
- What
- A severe hotel fire killed nine people and prompted a rescue and firefighting operation.
- When
- Early Wednesday, with reports placing the start of the fire between approximately 1:45 and 2:00 a.m.
- Where
- A hotel near New Market in Kolkata; reports variously identified the location as Free School Street or near Mirza Ghalib Street.
- Why
- An air-conditioner burst or explosion is suspected, but the exact cause remains unconfirmed.
- Deaths
- Nine people died, including six men, two women and one male child.
- Injured
- Six people were hospitalized after injuries or smoke inhalation; their conditions were not immediately known.
- Time
- The fire began at approximately 1:45–2:00 a.m. on Wednesday.
- Location
- A hotel near New Market in Kolkata; sources cited Free School Street and Mirza Ghalib Street.
- Victims' travel
- The guests had reportedly traveled to Kolkata for medical treatment.
- Suspected cause
- An air-conditioner burst or explosion is suspected, but investigators have not confirmed it.
- Police action
- A case was registered at New Market Police Station against the hotel owner.
- Emergency response
- Firefighters, police and disaster-management personnel rescued guests and brought the blaze under control; reports differed on whether four or five fire engines attended.
