The aftermath of the recent hotel fire in Tarapith had barely begun to settle when another tragic blaze struck the city. A severe fire broke out at Hotel Shikha Inn near Mirza Ghalib Street in New Market in the early hours of Wednesday, claiming nine lives and leaving several others injured.The fire is believed to have started around 1:45 am after an air conditioner burst. It quickly spread to four rooms of the hotel, trapping several guests inside. Five fire engines and the police and Disaster Management. Department personnel rushed to the spot and brought the blaze under control. Police have since cordoned off the area around the hotel.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/nine-killed-six-injured-in-massive-fire-at-kolkata-hotel-1787107135582">Kolkata hotel fire: Bangladeshi nationals seeking medical treatment among killed</a>The fire department confirmed that nine people were rescued in an unconscious condition and taken to Medical College Hospital (MCH), Kolkata, where they were declared dead. The deceased comprise six men, two women and one male child. Some of the victims were Bangladeshi nationals who had come to Kolkata for medical treatment. Another six people fell ill due to smoke inhalation and have been admitted to hospital.Locals said many guests managed to climb onto the roof to escape the flames. However, the nine who were found unconscious apparently never woke up from their sleep and are believed to have succumbed to smoke inhalation.The hotel owner remains untraceable. The manager has been detained by New Market police station for questioning as investigations continue.

The fire is believed to have started around 1:45 am after an air conditioner burst. It quickly spread to four rooms of the hotel, trapping several guests inside. Five fire engines and the police and Disaster Management.

The aftermath of the recent hotel fire in Tarapith had barely begun to settle when another tragic blaze struck the city. A severe fire broke out at Hotel Shikha Inn near Mirza Ghalib Street in New Market in the early hours of Wednesday, claiming nine lives and leaving several others injured. The fire is believed to have started around 1:45 am after an air conditioner burst. It quickly spread to four rooms of the hotel, trapping several guests inside. Five fire engines and the police and Disaster Management. Department personnel rushed to the spot and brought the blaze under control. Police have since cordoned off the area around the hotel. Also read | Kolkata hotel fire: Bangladeshi nationals seeking medical treatment among killed The fire department confirmed that nine people were rescued in an unconscious condition and taken to Medical College Hospital (MCH), Kolkata, where they were declared dead. The deceased comprise six men, two women and one male child. Some of the victims were Bangladeshi nationals who had come to Kolkata for medical treatment. Another six people fell ill due to smoke inhalation and have been admitted to hospital. Locals said many guests managed to climb onto the roof to escape the flames. However, the nine who were found unconscious apparently never woke up from their sleep and are believed to have succumbed to smoke inhalation. The hotel owner remains untraceable. The manager has been detained by New Market police station for questioning as investigations continue.

The fire is believed to have started around 1:45 am after an air conditioner burst. It quickly spread to four rooms of the hotel, trapping several guests inside. Five fire engines and the police and Disaster Management.

Severe fire at Hotel Shikha Inn in Kolkata’s New Market claims nine lives

Nine people were killed and six others were wounded after a massive fire broke out at a hotel in Kolkata’s Mirza Ghalib Street early Wednesday (Aug 19). According to the fire department, the deceased were Bangladeshi nationals who were here for medical treatment. The incident happened around 2 am. Fire department personnel rushed to the site to launch rescue operations. The area has been cordoned off by the authorities.Those injured in the incident were taken to the hospital for treatment. Their condition was not immediately known. It was unclear what started the fire. Officials said that an investigation was launched into the circumstances that led to the deaths in the fire.“The dense smoke made it difficult for firefighters to climb the staircase and reach the upper floors. While nine people have died, more deaths are feared,” a police officer told PTI.“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,” he added.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/severe-fire-at-hotel-shikha-inn-in-kolkata-s-new-market-claims-nine-lives-1787111375701">Severe fire at Hotel Shikha Inn in Kolkata’s New Market claims nine lives</a>Arafat Hussain, a Bangladeshi national who was staying at the hotel, said, “I am here for medical purposes. At night, I heard a lot of commotion on the second floor. I have been staying in this hotel for a month now. I have got to know that 9 people have died. I am shifting to another hotel now.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://x.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Nine people have died and several have suffered injuries in a fire that broke out in a hotel in Kolkata&#39;s Mirza Ghalib Street around 2 am today Teams of Police and Civil Defence are present at the accident site <a href="https://t.co/P6Q8kcImzI">pic.twitter.com/P6Q8kcImzI</a>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://x.com/ANI/status/2089912646275592686?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

In a post on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on X, “Extremely pained to learn about the loss of lives due to a fire mishap in Kolkata. My condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in this tragedy. May the injured recover at the earliest. The local administration is assisting those who are affected.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Extremely pained to learn about the loss of lives due to a fire mishap in Kolkata. My condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in this tragedy. May the injured recover at the earliest. The local administration is assisting those who are affected: PM <a href="https://x.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a>&mdash; PMO India (@PMOIndia) <a href="https://x.com/PMOIndia/status/2089954702221799588?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Tarapith hotel fire claims 8 lives</h2>The incident comes a day after another fire in West Bengal's Birbhum that killed at least eight people and injured several others. The blaze started at around 4:30 am on the ground floor of a five-storey hotel building in Tarapith. At the time of fire, most guests were asleep.Superintendent of Police of Birbhum District Vidit Raj Bhundesh said, “Around 5 in the morning, Tarapith police station received information about a fire at a hotel which was near the police station. A total of 43 were rescued from the hotel. Nine among them were taken to hospital; 8 of them were declared dead. One is undergoing treatment. The FASL team and our fire department officers are currently working to ascertain the cause of the fire.”

Nine Bangladeshi nationals died and six were injured after a massive fire broke out at a Kolkata hotel on Free School Street early Wednesday.

Nine people were killed and six others were wounded after a massive fire broke out at a hotel in Kolkata’s Mirza Ghalib Street early Wednesday (Aug 19). According to the fire department, the deceased were Bangladeshi nationals who were here for medical treatment. The incident happened around 2 am. Fire department personnel rushed to the site to launch rescue operations. The area has been cordoned off by the authorities. Those injured in the incident were taken to the hospital for treatment. Their condition was not immediately known. It was unclear what started the fire. Officials said that an investigation was launched into the circumstances that led to the deaths in the fire. “The dense smoke made it difficult for firefighters to climb the staircase and reach the upper floors. While nine people have died, more deaths are feared,” a police officer told PTI. “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,” he added. Also read | Severe fire at Hotel Shikha Inn in Kolkata’s New Market claims nine lives Arafat Hussain, a Bangladeshi national who was staying at the hotel, said, “I am here for medical purposes. At night, I heard a lot of commotion on the second floor. I have been staying in this hotel for a month now. I have got to know that 9 people have died. I am shifting to another hotel now.”

Nine Bangladeshi nationals died and six were injured after a massive fire broke out at a Kolkata hotel on Free School Street early Wednesday.

Kolkata hotel fire: Bangladeshi nationals seeking medical treatment among killed

In West Bengal, India, an explosion at an illegal firecracker unit has killed nine people while 13 others are critically injured as per reports. Local police told media that the impact of the explosion was "so massive" that the residential building on which the factory was being run collapsed.

Villagers described the scene as something of a "war zone", with body parts and debris strewn all around, including in a nearby pond. While the official toll remains low, locals claim that over 20 have perished in the blast.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, "The illegal firecracker unit was functioning at a house in a village near the West Bengal-Odisha border. Five people were killed and seven others were critically injured in the blast."&nbsp;

The factory was located in Egra of Purba Medinipur district in West Bengal.

As per Banerjee, the firecrackers were "being sent to Odisha and local labourers were working there." She also stated that&nbsp;"an investigation is underway". The probe is being undertaken by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-bmc-to-build-bow-string-bridge-to-connect-coastal-road-with-bandra-worli-sea-link-592607">India: BMC to build 'Bow-String' bridge to connect coastal road with Bandra Worli sea link</a>

The Trinamool Congress leader has announced that the next of kin of the deceased will get a compensation of INR 2.5 lakh each (USD 3,040 approx), while the injured will get INR 1 lakh (around USD 1,200).

The owner of the factory was reportedly arrested last October for running the factory and is now on the run. He is believed to have fled to the neighbouring state of Odisha after the explosion.

"He was arrested in October last year but got bail from the court. He fled the state soon after the explosion. I will ask the police to share his details with their counterparts in Odisha so that he is arrested immediately," said Banerjee.

As per the chief minister, action will be taken against the local police chief of Egra police station as "he had no information that an illegal firecracker unit was operating" in the area.

Leader of Opposition and senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari has demanded a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into the explosion.

Reacting to the demand, Banerjee said, "We do not have any objection to the NIA probe. But I would like to point out that the probe by the CID has already started."

Expressing fear that state police might illegally shift the bodies, Adhikari also demanded that central forces be immediately deployed in the area.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-wpi-falls-into-negative-for-first-time-since-july-2020-govt-cites-high-base-effect-as-the-reason-592827">India: WPI falls into negative for first time since July 2020, govt cites high base effect as the reason</a>

"Huge explosion in Sahara village in Egra, Purba Medinipur, at the local TMC leader Krishnapada Bag's (alias Bhanu) house. I am receiving news from the ground that the number of casualties is enormous. Immediately, central forces should be deployed as dead bodies are being shifted illegally by Mamata Police," he alleged in a tweet.

"I urge @HMOIndia &amp; Hon'ble @BengalGovernor to initiate @NIA_India investigation as early as possible. Bengal has become the stockpile of explosives...," he said in another tweet.

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
&nbsp;

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In West Bengal, India, an explosion at an illegal firecracker unit has killed nine people while 13 others are critically injured as per reports. Local police told media that the impact of the explosion was "so massive" that the residential building on which the factory was being run collapsed.

In West Bengal, India, an explosion at an illegal firecracker unit has killed nine people while 13 others are critically injured as per reports. Local police told media that the impact of the explosion was "so massive" that the residential building on which the factory was being run collapsed. Villagers described the scene as something of a "war zone", with body parts and debris strewn all around, including in a nearby pond. While the official toll remains low, locals claim that over 20 have perished in the blast. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, "The illegal firecracker unit was functioning at a house in a village near the West Bengal-Odisha border. Five people were killed and seven others were critically injured in the blast." The factory was located in Egra of Purba Medinipur district in West Bengal. As per Banerjee, the firecrackers were "being sent to Odisha and local labourers were working there." She also stated that "an investigation is underway". The probe is being undertaken by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Also read | India: BMC to build 'Bow-String' bridge to connect coastal road with Bandra Worli sea link The Trinamool Congress leader has announced that the next of kin of the deceased will get a compensation of INR 2.5 lakh each (USD 3,040 approx), while the injured will get INR 1 lakh (around USD 1,200). The owner of the factory was reportedly arrested last October for running the factory and is now on the run. He is believed to have fled to the neighbouring state of Odisha after the explosion. "He was arrested in October last year but got bail from the court. He fled the state soon after the explosion. I will ask the police to share his details with their counterparts in Odisha so that he is arrested immediately," said Banerjee. As per the chief minister, action will be taken against the local police chief of Egra police station as "he had no information that an illegal firecracker unit was operating" in the area. Leader of Opposition and senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari has demanded a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into the explosion. Reacting to the demand, Banerjee said, "We do not have any objection to the NIA probe. But I would like to point out that the probe by the CID has already started." Expressing fear that state police might illegally shift the bodies, Adhikari also demanded that central forces be immediately deployed in the area. Also read | India: WPI falls into negative for first time since July 2020, govt cites high base effect as the reason "Huge explosion in Sahara village in Egra, Purba Medinipur, at the local TMC leader Krishnapada Bag's (alias Bhanu) house. I am receiving news from the ground that the number of casualties is enormous. Immediately, central forces should be deployed as dead bodies are being shifted illegally by Mamata Police," he alleged in a tweet. "I urge @HMOIndia & Hon'ble @BengalGovernor to initiate @NIA_India investigation as early as possible. Bengal has become the stockpile of explosives...," he said in another tweet. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

India: Death toll from blast at illegal fireworks factory in West Bengal rises to nine

At least seven shops were gutted after a massive fire broke out in Rabindranagar market area in Siliguri in the wee hours on Wednesday. According to the locals, heavy smoke came out from the market area, following which the shopkeepers immediately called the fire officials.

At least seven shops were gutted after a massive fire broke out in Rabindranagar market area in Siliguri in the wee hours on Wednesday. According to the locals, heavy smoke came out from the market area, following which the shopkeepers immediately called the fire officials. Five fire tenders reached the spot and succeeded in bringing the fire under control. The fire left seven shops destroyed while two were damaged partially. There is no report of any casualties, said a fire officer. Also Read: West Bengal: Bridge collapses near Siliguri, truck driver injured One of the shopkeepers in the market said: "The fire destroyed seven shops completely. It might be a case of short circuit." A Bardhan, fire officer, Siliguri fire station said, "We tried our best to douse the fire as early as possible. An investigation has been initiated to ascertain the exact reason for the fire."

Massive fire causes damage to seven shops in Siliguri, investigation underway

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Severe fire at Hotel Shikha Inn in Kolkata’s New Market claims nine lives

Kolkata hotel fire: Bangladeshi nationals seeking medical treatment among killed

India: Death toll from blast at illegal fireworks factory in West Bengal rises to nine

Massive fire causes damage to seven shops in Siliguri, investigation underway