Seven Dead, Several Injured as Fire Engulfs Hotel in Bengal’s Tarapith

At least seven people were killed and several others injured in a fire that broke out at a hotel in Tarapith in West Bengal's Birbhum district in the early hours of Monday, police said. The blaze is reported to have started around 4:30 a.m. on the ground floor of the four-storey building, when most of the guests were asleep.

Many of those staying at the hotel were pilgrims who had arrived in the temple town of Tarapith to offer prayers on the last Monday of the holy month of Shravan. The town is known for its famous Kali temple, which also has a shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. The last Monday of Shravan is considered highly auspicious for devotees, and large numbers of pilgrims visit the temple throughout the month.

Fire tenders were rushed to the spot from nearby fire stations, and the blaze was brought under control after a few hours of effort. The injured, including some with burn injuries and others who fell ill due to asphyxiation, were taken to the Rampurhat Government Medical College and Hospital for treatment.

Hospital sources initially said five people had died in the fire. However, police later revised the toll to seven. "The death toll is seven now," a senior police official said, without elaborating further. The identities of the deceased are yet to be released, and officials said the process of informing the families was underway.

Hotel authorities claimed that the fire was caused by a short circuit. According to them, the fire started near the reception area after an electrical component of the power supply system caught fire. However, the exact cause of the blaze is yet to be established. Investigators are gathering evidence from the site and recording statements from witnesses and hotel staff.

One official said the fire spread rapidly through decorative and fibre materials inside the hotel. Thick smoke billowed to the upper floors, trapping several guests in their rooms for a considerable period. Rescue teams worked to evacuate the remaining occupants, and the injured were rushed to medical care.

A woman from Kolkata, who managed to escape the blaze, described the panic inside the hotel. "Suddenly, the entire hotel was engulfed in smoke. We could not breathe, and it was hard to find an escape route," she said, recalling the ordeal.

Another guest, Tapanjyoti Mondal, said he was trapped in his room with his wife and two children for nearly 45 minutes. "We could not come out of the door because of the blaze. Since the room had no window, they escaped through an opening near the bathroom ceiling," he said. According to Mondal, his mother was unconscious and his sister suffered injuries in the incident.

The tragedy has raised concerns about fire safety measures in hotels and lodges, especially in areas that see a heavy influx of pilgrims during religious occasions. No official statement has been made regarding any lapses, but authorities have said a thorough investigation is in progress to determine the circumstances that led to the fire.

Further details are awaited as the district administration continues its relief and investigatory efforts.