Kolkata Hotel Fire: Survivors Recount Harrowing Escape from Blaze

A tragic fire broke out at a hotel in Kolkata’s New Market area late Monday night, leaving several people feared dead. The massive blaze engulfed the hotel, triggering panic in the area as emergency teams rushed to the spot and began rescue and relief operations.

It was around 1:45 a.m. when the incident occurred. Many guests were fast asleep in the hotel on Mirza Ghalib Street near New Market. Some had reportedly come to Kolkata for medical treatment, while others were visiting the city for different reasons.

Suddenly, the guests were awakened by thick smoke that filled the building. As the fire spread, those inside faced a difficult situation while trying to escape.

Mohammad Amirul, Ejaz Ahmed and other survivors managed to escape from the hotel. Recalling the incident, they said they feared they might not survive.

Mohammad Amirul and Ejaz Ahmed said they were sleeping in a room on the fourth floor with the window open when they suddenly woke up after noticing smoke.

According to the survivors, when they went towards the window, the area outside was covered in smoke. They said the fire had broken out on the third floor, while the fourth floor was filled with smoke.

They immediately came out of their room and knocked on the door of an adjacent room in an attempt to alert other guests. They also tried to wake people staying in nearby rooms and called out for hotel staff, but they could not find anyone at that moment.

The survivors said an elevator was available but had stopped working. They then considered using the staircase, only to find that the route was affected by the flames, making it difficult to escape.

“For a moment, I felt I would never return to my room,” the survivors recalled while describing the frightening situation.

Fire brigade and police personnel subsequently reached the spot and began rescue operations. The survivors were eventually brought to safety by the emergency teams.

The incident has raised concerns about fire safety arrangements and emergency evacuation measures in hotels, particularly in densely populated areas. Further details about the cause of the fire and the exact number of casualties are expected from the authorities following the investigation.

Note: The reported casualty figure should be updated according to the latest official confirmation from the police, fire department or other competent authorities.