ALBAWABA- A massive fire broke out Tuesday evening at the budget Rituraj Hotel in Kolkata’s crowded Mechuapatti area of Burrabazar, killing 14 people, including a woman and two children, authorities confirmed.
For unknown reasons, the blaze started around 8:00 p.m. local time (14:30 GMT). At the time, 88 guests were staying in the 42-room hotel.
According to Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma, many of the victims are believed to have died from suffocation as the fire rapidly consumed the building.
Rescue teams saved 20 people who had fled to the rooftop and managed to pull five others from inside. Witnesses reported seeing people trying to escape through narrow windows, while one person reportedly died after jumping from a balcony to escape the flames.
Initial reports suggested 15 fatalities, but the number was later revised to 14 after verification.
Footage from the scene showed the building engulfed in flames, with thick smoke rising into the night sky.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on X, calling the incident tragic and wishing the injured a speedy recovery. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has ordered an immediate investigation into the cause of the fire.
