A child is among nine people who died in a hotel fire in the Indian city of Kolkata, which reportedly started from a malfunctioning air conditioning unit. Fire crews were called to the blaze at the Shikha Inn Hotel on 15H Mirza Ghalib Street at around 2am on Wednesday, August 19.
Rescue and Casualties
Firefighters from four fire engines rescued around 60 people from the surrounding buildings, all unhurt. However, nine people died in the incident, according to police commissioners speaking to the Hindustan Times.
Praween Prakash, deputy commissioner of police (central division) in Kolkata, said: “In all nine persons have died. The dead includes six males, two females and a child. No one has been injured. We are yet to ascertain the identities.”
Fire Brigade Response
An officer for the fire brigade confirmed that four fire engines were sent to deal with the inferno. They added: “It was a five-storey building at 15H Mirza Ghalib Street. We rescued more than 60 persons. They were unscathed. At least nine people were found in an unconscious state. They were rushed to the hospital.”
Reports suggest the nine people were pronounced dead at hospital. All of the deceased are Bangladeshi, according to the Lokmat Times, which also reported the fire started from an air conditioning unit.
Investigation Ongoing
An exact cause for the fire has not yet been confirmed.
