KOLKATA: A fire at a hotel in north Kolkata's Mechhua wholesale fruit market area on Tuesday evening left at least 14 dead and several others injured. Sanjay Paswan , 40, clambered onto a ledge in panic and jumped, leading to his death.
Another person suffered a fractured leg after a fall while attempting to clamber down a drainpipe. Firefighters and Disaster Management Group personnel were still engaged in rescue operations when reports last came in.
Several of those rescued were taken to Kolkata Medical College Hospital. Among them were two who inhaled toxic fumes and were semi-conscious. Locals said more people might be trapped inside and feared the toll could rise.
It was around 8 pm on Tuesday when locals spotted thick black smoke billowing out of Hotel Rituraj on Madan Mohan Burman Street. Witnesses said guests and employees who were able to rush out of their rooms scampered to the terrace as smoke engulfed the entire building.
After Paswan jumped and died and another man suffered a serious injury from a fall, police and firefighters used loud-hailers to urge people not to jump, assuring them that hydraulic ladders were on the way to reach them for rescue. Those trapped inside the building were asked to signal using mobile lights or other means.
Initially, the smoke made it difficult for the firemen to enter. Access from outside was also a challenge as the windows had grilles. DMG personnel who reached the spot used gas cutters to slice open the grilles to rescue the trapped.
The hydraulic ladder used to rescue people from higher floors arrived at 9.30 pm. Over 13 fire tenders were in operation till reports last came in.
Following the incident, CM Mamata Banerjee inquired about the situation over the phone from Digha. She called KP commissioner Manoj Verma and mayor Firhad Hakim, instructing them to ensure everyone's safe evacuation. Both Hakim and Verma reached the spot.
According to the staff there were not to many guests in the hotel.
Kumar Abhishek and Ritesh Sau from Sahebgange were in room 414 when the fire broke out. "Suddenly, the lights went out and we heard noise of commotion outside. Everybody was rushing downstairs. We also rushed but could not go ahead as the stairway was full of smoke. We rushed to our room and somehow managed to wriggle out of the window and stood on the ledge from where firemen rescued us after an hour," said Abhishek.
PM condoles Kolkata fire tragedy, announces ex-gratia
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed anguish over the loss of lives in the Kolkata hotel fire and extended condolences to the bereaved families, while announcing financial aid for the victims.
The Prime Minister’s Office tweeted: "Anguished by the loss of lives due to a fire mishap in Kolkata. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000: PM."
President Droupadi Murmu expresses grief
President Droupadi Murmu expressed her grief over the devastating fire accident in Kolkata, extending her condolences to the bereaved families and praying for the swift recovery of the injured.
"The sad news of loss of lives in the fire accident in a building in Kolkata is very disturbing and painful. My deep condolences to members of the bereaved family. I pray for speedy recovery of the injured," President stated in X.
Another person suffered a fractured leg after a fall while attempting to clamber down a drainpipe. Firefighters and Disaster Management Group personnel were still engaged in rescue operations when reports last came in.
#WATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal | A fire breaks out in a building near Falpatti Machhua. Fire tenders present at the spot. Efforts to douse the fire are underway. More details awaited. pic.twitter.com/pmCT6zeGVW
— ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2025
Several of those rescued were taken to Kolkata Medical College Hospital. Among them were two who inhaled toxic fumes and were semi-conscious. Locals said more people might be trapped inside and feared the toll could rise.
It was around 8 pm on Tuesday when locals spotted thick black smoke billowing out of Hotel Rituraj on Madan Mohan Burman Street. Witnesses said guests and employees who were able to rush out of their rooms scampered to the terrace as smoke engulfed the entire building.
After Paswan jumped and died and another man suffered a serious injury from a fall, police and firefighters used loud-hailers to urge people not to jump, assuring them that hydraulic ladders were on the way to reach them for rescue. Those trapped inside the building were asked to signal using mobile lights or other means.
#WATCH | West Bengal | Manoj Kumar Verma, Kolkata Police Commissioner, says, "The teams have recovered 14 bodies, and several people have been rescued. Further investigation is underway." pic.twitter.com/D5c6KHtqgz
— ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2025
Initially, the smoke made it difficult for the firemen to enter. Access from outside was also a challenge as the windows had grilles. DMG personnel who reached the spot used gas cutters to slice open the grilles to rescue the trapped.
The hydraulic ladder used to rescue people from higher floors arrived at 9.30 pm. Over 13 fire tenders were in operation till reports last came in.
Following the incident, CM Mamata Banerjee inquired about the situation over the phone from Digha. She called KP commissioner Manoj Verma and mayor Firhad Hakim, instructing them to ensure everyone's safe evacuation. Both Hakim and Verma reached the spot.
According to the staff there were not to many guests in the hotel.
Kumar Abhishek and Ritesh Sau from Sahebgange were in room 414 when the fire broke out. "Suddenly, the lights went out and we heard noise of commotion outside. Everybody was rushing downstairs. We also rushed but could not go ahead as the stairway was full of smoke. We rushed to our room and somehow managed to wriggle out of the window and stood on the ledge from where firemen rescued us after an hour," said Abhishek.
PM condoles Kolkata fire tragedy, announces ex-gratia
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed anguish over the loss of lives in the Kolkata hotel fire and extended condolences to the bereaved families, while announcing financial aid for the victims.
Anguished by the loss of lives due to a fire mishap in Kolkata. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 30, 2025
An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000: PM…
The Prime Minister’s Office tweeted: "Anguished by the loss of lives due to a fire mishap in Kolkata. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000: PM."
President Droupadi Murmu expresses grief
President Droupadi Murmu expressed her grief over the devastating fire accident in Kolkata, extending her condolences to the bereaved families and praying for the swift recovery of the injured.
"The sad news of loss of lives in the fire accident in a building in Kolkata is very disturbing and painful. My deep condolences to members of the bereaved family. I pray for speedy recovery of the injured," President stated in X.
You may also like
Government approves caste census: What is it and why it matters - Explained
'We have shown we can pressure govt': Rahul Gandhi on Centre's caste census decision
Makers of Vijay Deverakonda's 'Kingdom' drop promo for first single 'Hridayam Lopala'
Dyson makes its smartest vacuums more affordable and the timing couldn't be better
Ananya Pandey soaks up the tranquil beauty of Lake Como
