Nine people, including a child, were killed and six others were injured when a fire erupted in a hotel in the Free School Street area of central Kolkata early Wednesday, August 19, 2026. Reportedly, the fire broke out at around 1:45 a.m. in Mirza Ghalib Street, near the New Market area, as per reports citing authorities.
The fire broke out while people were staying at the hotel. The building was soon filled with thick smoke, making it difficult for people on the higher floors to escape. Firefighters and emergency personnel began rescuing those trapped inside as the blaze spread through the building.
Fire Breaks Out in Central Kolkata Hotel
The hotel is situated in Free School Street-Mirza Ghalib Street, central Kolkata near the headquarter of the West Bengal Fire Department. The Indian express reported that the fire broke out on the third floor of the five storey building before the smoke got into the building.
Immediately after the fire was reported, emergency teams were deployed. There were five fire engines, police and disaster-management staff involved in the response, according to the Associated Press. The firefighters struggled to access individuals that were stuck on the higher floors due to a lot of smoke.
There were also reports of firefighters breaking windows to reach those trapped inside. They were later able to put the fire under control, and the rescue teams started searching the building, in case anyone was trapped inside.
Nine People Killed, Six Injured
There were nine victims of the fire, including a child. According to reports citing the fire department, the deceased were Bangladeshi nationals who had come to Kolkata for medical treatment.
The incident injured six other people, who were hospitalized for medical treatment.
Despite the fire being contained, authorities went about rescuing and recovering others at the location. The reports that were available did not give out the full identities of the victims immediately.
Cause of Fire Under Investigation
The exact cause of the fire has not yet been ascertained, and authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
There have also been concerns about the fire-safety measures at the building. The Indian Express also covered that the hotel lacked an emergency exit and concerns had been raised as to whether there were proper fire-safety measures available. These are among the broader questions in the wake of the incident, which cannot be regarded as a proven conclusion of the current investigation.
The incident has led to a re-examination of fire-safety preparedness in hotels and guest houses in the central parts of Kolkata that are densely populated. The conditions that resulted in the fire and a potential breach of safety standards will, however, have to be determined via the official investigation.
Rescue Operation and Latest Update
After the fire was brought under control, emergency teams searched the building and recovered those trapped inside. The injured were taken to hospital for medical treatment, while authorities continued to investigate the incident.
The exact cause of the fire and the circumstances surrounding the deaths and injuries remained under investigation.
