Kolkata: A massive fire that tore through a budget hotel in the congested Mechuapatti area of Burrabazar in central Kolkata on Tuesday night claimed at least 14 lives and left 13 injured, triggering a political blame game and calls for accountability.
The fire broke out around 7:30 pm in the six-storey Rituraj Hotel and quickly engulfed the building, trapping several of the 88 guests staying in 42 rooms at the time, officials said.
“Most of those who died were trapped inside and could not escape the thick smoke,” a senior officer of the fire and emergency Services department said.
The majority of the victims died due to suffocation, while a few reportedly jumped off upper floors in panic. The deceased included 11 men, a woman and two children. All 14 bodies have been identified, mayor Firhad Hakim said after visiting the injured on Wednesday.
He said arrangements were being made to hand over the bodies to the victims’ families. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep grief over the tragedy and announced financial assistance.
