14 Dead, Several Injured After Massive Fire Engulfs Kolkata Hotel

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14 Dead, Several Injured After Massive Fire Engulfs Kolkata Hotel
Image : X / @soundarc2001

At least 14 people were killed and several injured after a major fire broke out at a hotel in Kolkata’s Mechuapatti area on Tuesday evening, triggering a frantic rescue operation.

A massive fire erupted around 8:15 pm in a multi-storey hotel in the Falpatti Mechuapatti area of central Kolkata on April 29, leaving at least 14 dead and several others injured. Dramatic visuals showed desperate guests attempting to escape through windows and ledges. Two people sustained injuries after jumping from the fourth floor to escape the flames.

Firefighters swiftly reached the site and battled the blaze for several hours before bringing it under control. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, though officials suspect an electrical short circuit.

Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma confirmed the fatalities and assured that a full probe has been launched. “The teams have recovered 14 bodies, and several people have been rescued. The fire has been brought under control. Rescue operations are still underway,” Verma said.

A special investigation team has been constituted to determine the cause of the fire and examine if any safety violations contributed to the tragedy.

West Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumdar expressed grief and demanded immediate relief and accountability. “I urge the state administration to immediately rescue those affected, ensure their safety, and provide them with necessary medical and humanitarian assistance,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter).

He further stressed the need for a “thorough review and stricter monitoring of fire safety measures” to prevent such recurring tragedies.

The hotel is located in a densely populated area with narrow access points, which complicated rescue efforts. Similar fire incidents have raised questions about fire safety compliance in urban establishments across India.

The Mechuapatti fire comes just months after a deadly blaze in Mumbai’s Goregaon in October 2024 that claimed 8 lives and injured 50 others, highlighting the continued need for stricter enforcement of building safety norms.

Authorities are expected to conduct detailed structural and forensic assessments of the site. A full report is likely to be submitted to the state government within days. Meanwhile, survivors are being treated at nearby hospitals, and their condition is said to be stable.

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