9 Bangladeshi Nationals Killed In Kolkata Hotel Fire, AC Blast Suspected

A fire at the Shikha Inn hotel in Central Kolkata claimed the lives of nine people, including five Bangladeshi nationals, early Wednesday morning. The majority of the guests were sleeping when smoke engulfed the five-storey building on Free School Street, suffocating nine individuals. The fire is believed to have started due to a short circuit, rapidly spreading and creating an environment difficult for guests to escape.

Police sources revealed that the hotel lacked proper firefighting systems and exit gates were locked, hindering the rescue efforts. The Kolkata Municipal Corporation, Fire Department, and Disaster Management Department quickly responded to the scene, deploying over 60 people to rescue those trapped in the blaze. Dense black smoke made visibility and breathing difficult for the fire personnel.

Despite the challenges, they successfully rescued around 60 people from the hotel by 4:30 am. Nine victims were rushed to Calcutta Medical College and Hospital, where they were pronounced dead. The deceased comprised six men, two women, and a child, of which five were identified as Bangladeshi citizens belonging to the same family, along with 37-year-old Babu Ahmed and 19-year-old Sandip Paswan from Bihar.

Two other Indian nationals, Yog Narayan Aggarwal from Siliguri and 19-year-old Sandip Paswan, were also among the deceased. The identities of the remaining two individuals are still pending. State officials have ordered a statewide fire-safety audit of hotels and guest houses following this incident, and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to investigate the cause of the fire.