Nine people, including a child and Bangladeshi citizens, died after a fire broke out at Hotel Taiba on Free School Street in Kolkata at around 2 a.m. on Tuesday. Firefighters rescued 28 people from the hotel, while six people were reported injured.
The fire broke out at Hotel Taiba on Free School Street at around 2 a.m. on Tuesday. Most people staying at the hotel were asleep in their rooms at the time.
Smoke quickly spread through the building after the fire broke out, making it difficult for people to breathe and preventing several occupants from leaving their rooms. Several deaths are suspected to have been caused by suffocation.
Fire service teams reached the spot after receiving information about the incident and immediately began a large-scale rescue operation. The headquarters of the Fire Service Department is located close to the hotel, allowing firefighters to reach the site without much delay.
Firefighters used stairs to evacuate people trapped inside the hotel. At several points, windows were broken to enter the building and rescue occupants.
According to the fire department, 28 people trapped inside the hotel were rescued during the operation. Those rescued were admitted to different hospitals in Kolkata for treatment. Six people were reported injured in the incident.
Alongside the rescue operation, officials have started investigating the cause of the fire.
Some of those who died in the incident were reportedly Bangladeshi citizens. People associated with Meghalaya and Alipurduar in West Bengal were also reported to be among the deceased.
The Free School Street area and its surroundings have long been known for hotels and guesthouses where people from other states and neighbouring countries stay. Many Bangladeshi citizens visiting Kolkata for medical treatment, business and other essential work stay in the area. People from different locations were therefore reported to have been staying at the hotel.
The exact cause of the fire at Hotel Taiba has not yet been established. Authorities have begun an investigation to determine where the fire started and how smoke spread through the hotel so quickly.
The hotel's safety arrangements, electrical wiring, emergency exits and fire-safety provisions may also be examined. The actual cause of the fire and the circumstances responsible for the incident will become clear after the investigation is completed.
The Kolkata incident occurred shortly after another hotel fire in Birbhum district of West Bengal in which nine people died. A fire broke out on August 17 at a hotel near the Tarapith temple.
Nine people died in that incident, while nine others were seriously injured. An initial investigation suspected a short circuit as the cause of the fire. The injured were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The Birbhum and Kolkata incidents have raised questions about fire safety in hotels and guesthouses. In nighttime fires, rapidly spreading smoke can pose a danger to people inside buildings. Safe and clearly marked emergency exits, fire alarms, firefighting equipment and emergency preparedness among staff are important in such situations.
Following the Kolkata hotel fire, the need to examine fire-safety standards in small and medium-sized hotels may come under discussion again. The first few minutes after a fire breaks out are important, particularly when smoke rapidly spreads through rooms and corridors and makes it difficult for sleeping occupants to evacuate.
According to experts, hotel operators should regularly inspect electrical systems, ensure the availability of fire extinguishers, maintain emergency exits and ensure that alarm systems are functional. Staff should also receive periodic training in fire safety and rescue procedures.
The administration and fire department are currently focused on providing treatment to the injured and collecting facts related to the incident. Police and concerned officials are investigating the identities of the deceased and the circumstances of the incident.
The cause of the fire and questions related to the hotel's safety standards will be addressed after the investigation is completed.
