Kolkata hotel fire kills 9; safety lapses cited

At least nine people died and six were injured when a fire engulfed the Shikha Inn hotel in Kolkata early Wednesday morning. The blaze, which broke out around 2 a.m. on Mirza Galib Street, rapidly spread through the five-story building after originating on the second floor.

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Neither smoke nor flames were visible from the outside. Police and fire brigade teams arrived at the scene; 22 people were rescued using ladders.

Firefighters responded promptly, deploying four tenders to douse the flames, which were extinguished after several hours. Officials stated that the cause of the fire is under investigation, with a short circuit being a potential trigger. A forensic examination is expected to provide further clarity on the incident's origin.

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The cause of the fire is under investigation and could be due to a short circuit.

Compounding the tragedy, guests reported a severe lack of safety measures within the hotel. According to survivors, the building had only a single entry and exit point, with no emergency exits. Reports also indicate a lack of basic fire-fighting systems and fire alarms, raising serious questions about the hotel's compliance with safety regulations.

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A forensic examination would reveal what led to the blaze.

Minister of Fire Department, Kaushik Chowdhury, commented on the alleged irregularities in the hotel's operation, stating, "The building management did not comply with basic safety and construction norms." He further noted that many hotels in the area operate illegally, often lacking proper licenses and fire-fighting mechanisms, with residential buildings being converted into commercial spaces without adhering to safety standards.

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I came with my friend. It was a very dangerous situation and I really don’t know how we escaped. There was no fire-alarm or fire-fighting system. Some have died.