Midnight Fire Outbreak and Emergency Response
A major fire erupted at a multi-storey building housing budget hotels in a crowded commercial hub of central Kolkata during the early hours.
The deadly incident occurred at Shika Inn located on Mirza Ghalib Street near New Market.
At least nine people, including a child and two women, lost their lives in the disaster.
Firefighters and police successfully rescued around 80 people from the burning structure.
Six injured individuals were shifted to a nearby hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Rescue Operations and Official Findings
Emergency crews faced severe challenges navigating the narrow corridors and dense smoke while trying to pull occupants to safety. News reports confirm that [at least nine people were killed and six others injured after a massive fire broke out at a hotel in Kolkata's Mirza Ghalib Street](cite: 1.1.1). Media updates state that [the deceased were mostly Bangladeshi citizens who had traveled to Kolkata for medical treatment and were staying at the multi-storey property](cite: 1.1.1, 1.1.3). Furthermore, local administration sources point out that [preliminary investigations indicate major safety violations, narrow exit pathways, and potential short circuits contributed to the rapid spread of the blaze](cite: 1.1.5).
Government Action and Safety Investigations
State ministers and senior police officials visited the disaster site to oversee the cooling process and review safety compliance standards across nearby commercial buildings. The state government announced a thorough inquiry through a special investigating team to examine building permissions and fire safety lapses. Authorities continue to offer support to the families of the victims as investigations proceed.
