Kolkata, August 19: At least nine people were killed and six others injured after a massive fire broke out at a hotel on Mirza Galib Street in central Kolkata early Wednesday, police said.
The fire erupted around 1.45 am, prompting the deployment of five fire tenders to the spot. Police and Disaster Management Department personnel also joined the rescue operation as firefighters battled the blaze and searched the hotel for people trapped inside.
The injured were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.
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Dense smoke made it difficult for firefighters to climb the staircase and reach the upper floors, a police officer said, warning that the death toll could rise.
“While nine people have died, more deaths are feared,” the officer told PTI.
The flames have since been brought under control, with firefighters carrying out cooling operations at the site.
“Our priority is to rescue those trapped and determine the reasons for the fire. The flames have been doused, and the cooling process is under way,” the officer said.
Authorities are continuing rescue and search operations at the hotel as they work to ascertain the cause of the fire.
