2 weeks ago
Nine Killed as Kolkata Hotel Fire Traps Guests
A fire started in a building with several hotels in Kolkata around 2 am on Wednesday.
The smoke spread through the upper floors and made it hard for guests to see or breathe.
Nine people died, including a four-year-old child and two women.
Some survivors said the hotel did not have enough fire alarms or safety equipment.
One guest said staff members appeared to be asleep when the fire began.
People escaped through thick smoke, sometimes with help from firefighters.
Fire officials said their quick action saved about 80 lives.
The fire happened only days after another hotel fire in Birbhum district also killed nine people.
A fire broke out around 2 am Wednesday in a cramped central Kolkata building housing several hotels.
Nine people died, including a four-year-old child and two women.
Survivors described dense smoke, blocked escape routes and staff who were allegedly asleep.
Guests alleged the building lacked a fire alarm, adequate safety equipment and safe exit arrangements.
Fire brigade personnel reportedly rescued about 80 people, according to Minister Kaushik Chowdhury.
- Who
- Guests, hotel staff, local residents and fire brigade personnel were involved; nine people died. West Bengal Fire and Emergency Services Department Minister Kaushik Chowdhury said about 80 people were rescued.
- What
- A hotel fire killed nine people and forced guests to escape through dense smoke.
- Where
- A cramped building housing several hotels in central Kolkata, West Bengal.
- When
- Around 2 am on Wednesday; it occurred days after another fatal hotel fire in Tarapith.
- Why
- The article does not establish the cause of the fire. Survivors alleged inadequate fire-safety arrangements and difficult escape routes.
Survivors and Local Residents
Fire Authorities
Building safety
Survivors and Local Residents
Guests and residents alleged that the building lacked a fire alarm, adequate safety equipment and sufficient escape arrangements, including reportedly having only one entrance leading to the staircase.
Fire Authorities
The article does not provide a detailed response from the hotel or authorities to these allegations.
Response to the fire
Survivors and Local Residents
Survivors said smoke filled the upper floors, staff were allegedly asleep and people had little hope of escaping.
Fire Authorities
Minister Kaushik Chowdhury said prompt action by fire brigade personnel saved around 80 lives, while guests credited firefighters with helping them reach safety.
Key facts
- Deaths
- Nine people, including a four-year-old child and two women
- Reported start time
- Around 2 am on Wednesday
- Location
- A central Kolkata building housing several hotels
- Rescued
- About 80 people, according to Minister Kaushik Chowdhury
- Reported conditions
- Dense smoke and fire near the staircase made escape difficult
- Safety allegations
- Guests alleged there was no fire alarm or adequate safety equipment
- Related incident
- A hotel fire in Tarapith, Birbhum district, killed nine people days earlier
Quotes
Bangladeshi guest
Guest staying at the hotel
“I was helped by two fire brigade officials in coming down from the upper floors and out of the building to safety, as I was trying to find my way out in the darkness.”
telegraphindia.com
“Dark smoke engulfed the second and third floors of the building, and it was hard to escape, as the fire was raging near the staircase.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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