At least nine people, including a four-year-old child and two women, died and six others were injured on Wednesday in a fire at a dingy five-storey building here that houses several hotels, police said.
Five fire tenders were pressed into service to douse the blaze that erupted around 1.45 am in the building on Mirza Galib Street in central Kolkata, a senior officer said.
Police, Fire Brigade and Disaster Management department personnel were carrying out the rescue operation, he said.
According to a senior official, 80 people have been rescued from the five-storey building.
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Nine killed, six injured in blaze
Speaking to PTI, Fire and Emergency Services minister Kaushik Chowdhury said the deceased include both Indians and Bangladeshis.
"We are trying to establish their identities. The situation inside this building is very bad. There are several hotels inside this building. I am shocked to see what was going on here," Chowdhury said after visiting the site.
"Dense smoke made it difficult for firefighters to climb the staircase and reach the upper floors. Nine people have died, and six were injured," a police officer told PTI.
The deceased include six men, two women and a four-year-old child, he said, adding that the injured have been sent to a hospital.
"Our priority is to rescue those trapped and determine the reasons for the fire. The flames have been doused, but the building is very hot. The cooling process is underway," the officer added.
Suffocation suspected as cause of deaths
The minister said the cause of death could be suffocation. "People could not escape, and several rooms had no windows. We could bring out a couple from a room which had a window," he said.
Asked about the cause of the fire, the minister said that it could be because of a short circuit.
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A team of forensic experts reached the spot and was collecting evidence, he said, adding that strict action would be taken against the hotel authorities.
“We have not filed any FIR but will do so. I’m amazed how the former administration gave permissions to such hotels to operate. We are not shrugging responsibilities but want to assure you that all those behind this mishap will face stringent actions,” he said.
Safety violations under scanner
The building management did not comply with basic safety and construction norms, the minister said.
It is alleged that there were several irregularities in the functioning of the hotel, he said, adding that a fire audit will be carried out at hotels across the state.
West Bengal Fire and Emergency Services Department headquarters is located close to the hotel building.
Building owner absconding, police begin raids
Another police officer said the building owner is currently absconding.
"A case is being registered at the New Market Police Station, with police initiating proceedings against the owner," he said, adding that police have begun raids at the owner's residence as part of efforts to trace him," he said.
An investigation is underway to determine the circumstances that led to the fire and whether safety regulations were violated, he said.
According to the Chief Minister's Office, CM Suvendu Adhikari is likely to visit the site of the fire.