8 Pilgrims Killed In Fire At Hotel Near Tarapith Temple In Bengal's Birbhum

At least eight people have been killed, and several others have been injured after a fire broke out at a hotel in West Bengal's Birbhum early this morning.

The fire broke out at around 4:30 am on the ground floor of the five-storey hotel in the temple town of Tarapith, when most of the guests were asleep.

The hotel, named 'Bideshini', is located by the holy pond adjacent to the temple, just a stone's throw from the Tarapith police station.

Since the hotel was located near the police station, the police arrived quickly; personnel from the Rampurhat police station had also arrived alongside the Tarapith police. Firefighters also rushed to the scene upon receiving the news. The fire was brought under control swiftly, but a large section of the hotel's ground floor had already been gutted. Some guests suffered burns, while others fell ill due to smoke inhalation.

Five members of a single family from Meghalaya, including two children, died in the fire. According to reports, the family was staying on the top floor of the hotel. Upon realising the fire had broken out, they attempted to flee together with the children but encountered the flames while trying to descend

The injured were rescued and taken to Rampurhat Government Medical College and Hospital for treatment.

"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," said Vidit Raj Bhundesh, Superintendent of Police of Birbhum District.

"One door, which is at the back side of the hotel, that could be used for a fire exit was locked. Even the staircase to the rooftop was blocked. The fire department is also investigating if the fire norms were duly followed," Bhundesh added.

Fire department officials preliminarily suspect the fire was caused by a short circuit. Smoke rose to the fifth floor, while the fire spread across the ground and first floors.

Police have arrested the hotel owner following the incident. Authorities are investigating whether the hotel's fire safety measures were adequate and if all regulations were followed. Many guests have alleged that the rear exit was locked, preventing them from escaping; this allegation is also being investigated.

"At around 4.30 am, a short circuit occurred in the AC's MCB, which caused a fire to break out. The night guard was present at the spot and, upon noticing the fire, immediately alerted someone and activated the fire calling bell. People woke up and started coming out of their rooms. The smoke from the fire began rising upwards, causing many people to suffocate. Several efforts were made to bring the fire under control," said the owner's son, Kalyan Pal.

Several of the guests were rescued after they somehow managed to jump out of the window by breaking the glass.