Kolkata, 30 April (H.S.) -A devastating fire broke out late Tuesday night at Hotel Rituraj, a six-storey building located in the congested Machua area of Kolkata’s Burrabazar. The blaze claimed 14 lives, including two children, and left several others injured.
Initial reports suggest that the hotel lacked basic fire safety measures, including emergency exits, fire alarms, and ventilation systems. The owner of the hotel is absconding, and police have launched a manhunt to locate him.
The fire reportedly started on the second floor and quickly engulfed the entire building. Out of the 14 casualties, 13 died due to suffocation, while one person, Anand Paswan, died after jumping from the upper floor in a bid to escape.
At the time of the fire, 88 guests were staying in 42 rooms, and about 60 staff members were present. Fire officials stated that the hotel had only one exit, no water reserve, and no fire extinguishing systems in place.
Narrow lanes and illegal encroachments in the area severely hampered the movement of fire engines. Eyewitnesses claimed that lives could have been saved if access routes had been clear.
West Bengal Fire Services Minister Sujit Bose visited the site and confirmed that the hotel had no fire protection arrangements. The state fire department’s preliminary report highlights gross negligence in fire safety compliance.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed deep sorrow and announced a compensation of ₹2 lakh for each deceased victim’s family and ₹50,000 for the injured. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended condolences and declared matching compensation from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund.
The Kolkata Police Commissioner has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the incident. Forensic teams have begun collecting evidence to determine the exact cause of the fire and identify responsible parties.
Many of the victims succumbed to the thick smoke that filled the building, which effectively turned into a gas chamber. Although some people tried to escape through windows, only a few could be rescued by firefighters due to the overwhelming smoke.
Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh
