West Bengal [India], August 19 – At least nine people including a child and a woman were killed and six others injured after a major fire broke out in a narrow five-storey building on Mirza Ghalib Street in Kolkata, India early Wednesday.
The fire started at around 2 am, according to police sources. Five fire engines were deployed to the scene to contain the blaze while police and disaster management personnel joined rescue efforts.
The injured were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Thick smoke made it difficult for firefighters to reach the upper floors through the staircase, police said. Authorities warned that the death toll could rise as rescue and search operations continue.
The incident occurred near the headquarters of the West Bengal fire and Emergency Services Department.
The Kolkata blaze is the second major hotel-related fire reported in West Bengal within two days. On Monday, eight people were killed and several others injured after a fire broke out at a hotel in Tarapith, Birbhum district.
Authorities said the Tarapith fire was caused by a short circuit. Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the hotel operators and taken them into custody.
An investigation into Wednesday’s fire is underway with authorities working to determine its exact cause and assess whether safety violations contributed to the deaths.
