Ugly Night in Central Kolkata: A Fire Disaster Claiming 14 Lives
Deadly Fire in Central Kolkata Hotel Claims 15 Lives in West Bengal
In a heart-wrenching incident, at least 14 people lost their lives, and 13 were injured in a blaze that engulfed the Rituraj Hotel near Falpatti Machhua on Tuesday night. A senior police officer revealed the grim toll, stating the fire started around 7:30 pm, leading to the deployment of ten fire engines.
After almost 10 hours of unrelenting efforts, the flames were finally brought under control around dawn on Wednesday. A fire and emergency services official confirmed the updates.
Initially, there were 88 guests lodged across 42 rooms. According to the Kolkata Police, three among the deceased were a boy, a girl, and a woman. The cause of the inferno remains a mystery, as the forensic team is examining the scene.
Kolkata's Mayor Firhad Hakim and Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma were directed by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to rush to the site following her phone call about the incident.
Preliminary reports suggest 14 fatalities, with eight identities confirmed. Meanwhile, a special investigation team has been established to delve deeper into this tragic incident's roots. The cause, however, is yet to be ascertained.
A Leap from Fear: A Staffer Jumps from the Hotel
According to localTrinamool Congress leaders, the Chief Minister enquired about the incident, expressing concerns and urging immediate action. The West Bengal BJP president, who is also a union minister, demanded stricter enforcement of fire safety measures to avoid any recurrence of such tragedies in the future.
The West Bengal Congress President expressed dismay over the incident, pointing out the lack of safety measures and urging the Kolkata Corporation to address the issue.
- Fire
- Kolkata
- Mamata Banerjee
- Fire Safety
- Fire Investigation
Insights:
Preliminary evidence points towards the possibility of an electrical short circuit as the cause of the fire [1][2][3]. The congested location and barred windows hindered rescue efforts [2][5]. Some victims, finding no clear evacuation routes, had to jump from upper floors due to inadequate emergency measures [5]. Political leaders are calling for stricter enforcement of fire safety protocols in response to the incident [2][3].
- Despite the tragic fire incident in Kolkata's Rituraj Hotel, preliminary evidence hints at an electrical short circuit as the potential cause.
- Adequate fire safety measures were apparently lacking, as some victims, with no clear evacuation routes, were forced to jump from upper floors during the disaster in Kolkata.
- Urging immediate action, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee enquired about the fire incident and stressed the importance of stricter enforcement of fire safety protocols.
- The congested location and barred windows not only obstructed the rescue operations but also added to the fatalities during the fire disaster in Kolkata.
- Given the tragic fire incident in Kolkata, the West Bengal Congress President has called upon the Kolkata Corporation to address the lack of safety measures urgently.
