After deadly hotel fires, Kolkata shuts 13 hotels over fire safety violations

Kolkata has stepped up inspections of hotels following two deadly fires in West Bengal this week, with authorities shutting down 13 hotels in central Kolkata, asking 16 to vacate and issuing notices to several others over alleged fire safety violations.

13 hotels shut in central Kolkata

The action was taken on Friday, with hotels on Mirza Ghalib Street, Marquis Street and SN Banerjee Road among those facing scrutiny.

“At least 16 hotels in central Kolkata have been asked to shut down for violating fire safety norms. More than 50 hotels across Kolkata have been served show-cause notices since Thursday,” said a senior officer of the state Fire department.

Fire brigade officials said another 29 hotels in different districts have also been issued notices, asking them to explain why they should not be closed for failing to comply with safety requirements.

Checks intensified after Kolkata hotel fire

The crackdown comes three days after a fire at Shikha Inn Hotel in central Kolkata claimed nine lives on Wednesday. Police have arrested the hotel's lease holder, while its owner remains absconding. At least 80 people were rescued from the building.

The latest incident followed another hotel fire in Tarapith, a temple town in Birbhum district, where nine people, including two children, died on Monday. Authorities have already shut 15 hotels in Tarapith.

“Actions have been initiated. A few officers have also been issued show-cause notices,” said Kaushik Chowdhury, state fire minister.

Expired licences, blocked exits among violations

Officials said inspections would continue across the state.

“Inspection is going on. This will continue. We will not stop after closing down 100 hotels. We will not allow such tinderboxes to operate. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) must take responsibility of these. The rooms were cramped. They were using more electricity than permitted due to air-conditioners. How did they get a trade license and fire license? If they don’t follow rules, they will be shut down,” said Agnimitra Paul, state Urban Development minister.

A senior official said some hotels were operating without valid fire licences, while others had licences that expired four or five years ago.

“Some of the hotels were running without any fire license. The licenses had expired four to five years ago and weren’t renewed. There were no proper exits, locked emergency gates, hotels were drawing more electricity than applied for, rooms without ventilation, changed floor plans and several other violations,” the official said.

Bodies of Bangladeshis to be taken home

Meanwhile, six Bangladeshis who died in the Kolkata hotel fire are likely to be taken to Bangladesh by road on Saturday. Five bodies are expected to cross through the Benapole border and one through Bhomra.

Rebati Sarker, another victim who had travelled to Kolkata with her son, was cremated in Kolkata on Friday night, her husband confirmed from Satkhira, Bangladesh.