TARAPITH (WB), Aug 17: At least seven people were killed and several others injured after a fire broke out at a hotel in West Bengal’s Birbhum district early Monday, police said.
The incident occurred in Tarapith, a prominent temple town, where a large number of pilgrims had gathered to offer prayers on the last Monday of the holy month of Shravan. The town is known for its famous Kali temple, which also houses a shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva.
The blaze erupted around 4.30 am on the ground floor of the four storey hotel when most occupants were asleep. Firefighters were immediately dispatched to the site and managed to bring the flames under control.
Those rescued from the building were taken to Rampurhat Government Medical College and Hospital for treatment. Officials said some victims sustained burn injuries, while others were affected by smoke inhalation and asphyxiation.
The death toll was initially reported as five by hospital sources. Police later confirmed that the number had risen to seven.
“The death toll is seven now,” a senior police official said.
Hotel officials suspected that an electrical short circuit may have triggered the blaze. According to them, an electrical component near the reception area caught fire before the flames spread through the premises. Authorities, however, have not yet established the exact cause.
The fire reportedly spread quickly through decorative and fibre materials inside the hotel. Dense smoke moved towards the upper floors, leaving several guests trapped in their rooms.
A woman from Kolkata who escaped described the chaos inside the building, saying the premises suddenly filled with smoke and made it difficult for guests to breathe or locate an exit.
Another survivor, Tapanjyoti Mondal, said he remained trapped inside his room with his wife and two children for nearly 45 minutes. With flames blocking the door and no window in the room, the family managed to escape through an opening near the bathroom ceiling.
Mondal’s mother was found unconscious, while his sister sustained injuries during the incident.
Police and other authorities are continuing to assess the situation and investigate the circumstances surrounding the blaze. The incident has raised concerns over fire safety arrangements at hotels accommodating large numbers of pilgrims during peak religious periods.