9 dead, 6 injured in Kolkata hotel fire

At least nine people were killed and six others injured after a fire broke out at a hotel on Mirza Ghalib Street in central Kolkata early Wednesday, police said.

The fire broke out around 1.45 am, following which five fire tenders were deployed to bring the blaze under control. Police and Disaster Management Department personnel also reached the spot and launched a rescue operation.

The injured were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Dense smoke inside the building made it difficult for firefighters to climb the staircase and reach the upper floors, a police officer said.

“While nine people have died, more deaths are feared,” the officer said.

The flames have been doused and cooling operations are underway, officials said.

“Our priority is to rescue those trapped and determine the reasons for the fire. The flames have been doused, and the cooling process is underway,” the police officer said.

Multiple media outlets have reported that the nine people killed in the fire were Bangladeshi nationals. However, there has been no official confirmation from the police or other authorities regarding their nationality.

Officials said rescue teams were continuing to search the building for anyone who may still be trapped inside.

The West Bengal Fire Department headquarters is located close to the hotel building, officials said.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known.