Breaking: 4-yr-old among 9 dead in Kolkata Hotel building fire
Babushahi Bureau
Kolkata (West Bengal), August 19, 2026: Nine people were killed after a fire broke out at a five-storey building on Mirza Ghalib Street in Kolkata at around 1:45 a.m. on Tuesday night. The building housed several hotels.
The deceased include two women and a four-year-old child. All the victims were found unconscious, apparently after inhaling smoke. Six others were injured, while around 80 people have so far been safely evacuated from the building.
Most of the occupants were asleep when the fire broke out. Thick smoke quickly filled the building, leaving people struggling to breathe. The deceased include both Indian and Bangladeshi nationals, and authorities are working to establish their identities.
Police said the death toll could rise as rescue and identification operations continue.
Five fire engines, along with police and disaster management teams, rushed to the spot after the fire was reported. Dense smoke made it difficult for firefighters to reach the upper floors.
The fire has been brought under control, but the building remains extremely hot. Cooling operations are currently underway, officials said.