Nine Killed, Six Injured in Hotel Building Fire in India’s Kolkata

At least nine people, including a child, have been killed and six others injured after a fire broke out in a five-storey building housing several hotels and guest houses in Kolkata, eastern India.

The blaze erupted in the early hours of Wednesday, August 19, in central Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal state, according to police and fire officials.

Firefighters rushed to the building after the fire was reported at about 1:45 a.m. local time. Five fire engines were deployed to the scene as emergency crews worked to evacuate people trapped inside.

Authorities said around 80 people were rescued from the building. Six others were taken to hospital with injuries, while several of the fatalities were reportedly caused by smoke inhalation.

The building contained multiple hotels and guest houses, making the rescue operation particularly difficult. Reports said many rooms had limited or no windows, hampering efforts by occupants to escape the thick smoke.

A senior West Bengal fire official, Anuj Sharma, said some victims were found in bathrooms after becoming trapped by the smoke. Among those killed was a child.

The fire was eventually brought under control, although emergency and disaster-response teams remained at the scene as authorities searched the building and assessed the damage.

The exact cause of the blaze has not yet been established. Police are investigating, with an electrical short circuit among the possibilities being examined.

There were also reports that some of the victims may have been Bangladeshi nationals who had travelled to Kolkata for medical treatment. Officials said the nationalities of the victims were still being verified.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed sorrow over the deaths and wished the injured a quick recovery, while saying local authorities were assisting those affected.

The tragedy has renewed concerns over fire safety in crowded buildings in Indian cities, where inadequate exits, ventilation and emergency equipment can make it difficult for occupants to escape rapidly spreading fires.

Authorities are expected to investigate whether the building complied with required fire-safety standards and whether any violations contributed to the deaths.