Fire in a building housing several hotels in eastern India kills 9 and injures 6

A fire broke out in a five-story building in Kolkata, India, early Wednesday morning, August 19, resulting in at least nine deaths and six injuries, according to police. The fire occurred around 1:45 am in a dilapidated building near the West Bengal Fire Department headquarters. The victims included two women and a four-year-old child.

Eighty people were rescued from the building by firefighters, who deployed five fire engines to control the blaze. Police are investigating the cause of the fire, with initial speculation pointing to a short circuit. Forensic experts are collecting evidence at the scene. Many victims are believed to have died from smoke inhalation due to lack of windows in several rooms, making escape difficult.

State Minister Koushik Chowdhury visited the site and suggested several of the deceased were Bangladeshi nationals. The government plans to conduct fire safety inspections across hotels in the state following the incident.