Kolkata Hotel Fire: Jharkhand Worker Dies, Family Struggles to Come to Terms With Loss

Sandip Paswan had come to Kolkata from Jharkhand in search of work to support his family. He had little idea that within a year, his body would have to be taken back home. Sandip was among those who lost their lives in the fire at Hotel Shikha Inn in the New Market area of Kolkata.

At the hospital, Sandip's uncle and elder brother were overcome with grief. His uncle, Sitaram, broke down while recalling the young man he had helped raise and brought to Kolkata in search of employment.

According to preliminary information, Sandip is suspected to have died due to suffocation. The exact circumstances surrounding his death will be established through the official investigation and medical examination.

Uncle recalls Sandip's struggle

On Wednesday morning, Sitaram broke down outside the emergency department of Calcutta Medical College. He said Sandip's father had died around four years ago and that the young man needed employment.

“That is why I had brought him here. He used to do sweeping and cleaning work. But I never imagined I would receive such news,” Sitaram said.

According to Sitaram, he left home around 3 a.m. on Tuesday after receiving information about the incident. He later reached Calcutta Medical College, where he identified Sandip's body.

Family raises questions about the circumstances

Sitaram claimed that Sandip used to sleep near a refrigerator at the hotel. He also said he had heard that the refrigerator's compressor may have burst and that a fire subsequently broke out.

However, this claim has not been independently confirmed. The exact cause and point of origin of the fire will be determined by the authorities investigating the incident.

Sitaram further claimed that Sandip's face and chest had suffered burn injuries. The family is now preparing to take his body back to Jharkhand.

The death of Sandip has left his family devastated and has once again highlighted the human cost of the hotel fire in Kolkata.

Note: Claims regarding the refrigerator and the cause of the fire have been attributed to the deceased's family and should not be treated as established facts until officially confirmed.