West Bengal hotel fire: 8 dead, several injured in Birbhum

As many as eight people were killed, and several others were critically injured after a fire broke out at a hotel in Birbhum district of West Bengal early on Monday morning (August 17).

According to police, the fire started around 5 am on the ground floor of the four-storey hotel in Tarapith, a temple town. Most of the guests were asleep when the blaze erupted.

Fire tenders were sent to the hotel after the incident was reported. The flames were brought under control following firefighting operations at the site. Those injured were rescued and taken to Rampurhat Government Medical College and Hospital for treatment.

Death toll rises to eight

According to a PTI report quoting hospital sources, initially five deaths were reported, but officials later revised the death toll to eight, reported ANI. Hotel officials said that a short circuit was responsible for the fire.

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Hotel owner Kalyan Pal said the fire began around 4:30 am after the NCB, or electrical circuit breaker, of the hotel’s power supply suddenly burst, reported the Anandabazar Patrika.

Smoke trapped guests inside

“Those who were on night watch duty here got up and immediately activated the fire extinguishers. They disconnected the electricity supply. But by then, the fibre used in the interior decoration had caught fire. The fire intensified further. The firefighters arrived and put out the blaze. But the smoke had risen up to the fifth floor,” said Pal.

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“The residents started coming out of their rooms in panic. They ended up in the fire outside. It had become dark. There is an exit at the back, but many could not find it. They started coming out through the reception area. That was when many of them caught fire,” he added.

12-13 people hospitalised

Speaking to reporters, Birbhum Additional Superintendent of Police Nilesh Srikant Gaikwad said, “Those who were rescued have been brought to Rampurhat Hospital. They are being questioned. Twelve to 13 people are admitted to the hospital.”

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Fire department officer-in-charge Niladri Majumdar said, “The fire had spread up to the second floor. But there was no fire on the third floor. There was a lot of smoke there. All the windows in the staircase and other areas of the hotel were closed. So the smoke could not escape. A hotel is required to have two staircases. This hotel had them too. The fire safety arrangements were also in place. We rescued nine people in an unconscious condition.”

BJP MLA questions safety measures

Rampurhat BJP MLA Dhruva Saha raised questions over the hotel’s fire safety measures and the condition of those injured in the blaze.

“A few people are still in critical condition. We need to see whether the hotel had proper fire-fighting arrangements. This cannot continue. Who will take responsibility for the lives of so many people?” he added.

PM Modi announces ex-gratia

Later in the day expressing grief over the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased.

“In the Birbhum accident in West Bengal, Prime Minister @narendramodi has announced that 2 lakh rupees will be given to the next of kin of each deceased from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund and 50,000 rupees for the injured,” stated the PMO in a post on X.

“I am deeply shocked by the loss of lives in the fire incident in Birbhum, West Bengal. I express my condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I wish the injured a speedy recovery. The local administration is providing assistance to those affected by the accident.: Prime Minister @narendramodi,” it stated in another post.