Nine people were killed in Kolkata when a devastating fire broke out early in the morning at a hotel on Free School Street, including one child. The hotel fire started about 2 am when most guests were asleep, allowing thick smoke to quickly spread through the building and trapping several people inside.
In all, 28 people were rescued from the hotel and taken to various hospitals in Kolkata for medical care. Many of the dead were Bangladeshi citizens who had traveled to Kolkata for medical treatment, according to police sources.
The fire occurred in the busy New Market area where Free School Street is surrounded by commercial establishments, hotels, and residential buildings. The timing of the fire made the rescue operation particularly challenging as many occupants were asleep when the blaze erupted.
Four Fire Engines Sent to Spot
Authorities rushed four fire engines to the hotel after receiving information about the fire. A disaster management team was also at the scene and joined firefighters and other emergency workers there.
Firefighters initially focused on evacuating people inside the building before working to get the flames under control. Several people were reported to have been injured, and doctors thought smoke inhalation and suffocation may have been to blame for some of the deaths.
Several people were taken to hospitals where some were reportedly in critical condition. The exact cause of death in each case will be established through post-mortem examinations.
Fire Safety Concerns Raised
The initial findings have raised serious questions about fire safety arrangements at the hotel. Fire officials reportedly found that the building did not have sufficient fire safety and firefighting systems in place.
The narrow passageways in the building also made escaping difficult. The main exit to the road was locked, according to preliminary information, which could delay evacuation and make the rescue operation more difficult.
A short circuit also appears to have triggered the fire, but the exact cause has not yet been established, and a detailed investigation is underway.
Kolkata | On the hotel fire accident, Kolkata Police say, "On 19th August, at about 02:00 hrs, information was received at New Market PS regarding a serious fire incident at a hotel, namely Shika Inn, situated at 15, Mirza Ghalib Street, within the jurisdiction of New Market… https://t.co/Srvda5XTpq
— ANI (@ANI) August 19, 2026
Hotel Owner Absconding
Police are taking legal action against the hotel owner who is now said to be absconding. A case is being registered at New Market Police Station on culpable homicide charges.
Investigators have also raided the owner's residence in an attempt to find and question him. The hotel's safety arrangements, licensing records, and any violations will be investigated as part of the investigation.
The tragedy again has raised questions about the safety of hotels and other buildings in the densely populated areas of Kolkata. Officials are likely to scrutinise whether the hotel had complied with mandatory safety requirements and whether adequate emergency exits and firefighting equipment were available.
Another Hotel Fire in West Bengal
The Kolkata tragedy also comes two days after another deadly hotel fire in West Bengal. On August 17, at least eight people were killed and several others injured after a fire broke out at Hotel Bideshini in Tarapith, Birbhum district, early in the morning.
Two deadly hotel fires in two weeks have raised concerns over fire safety standards in accommodation facilities across the state.
Authorities continue to probe the Kolkata incident, while the identities of the victims and the precise circumstances surrounding their deaths are being established. Safety violations or negligence are likely to play a role in the loss of lives, they say.
