Massive fire at Kolkata hotel kills nine; six rescued persons critical

KOLKATA: Nine people, including a child, died of smoke inhalation after a massive fire broke out at a hotel in Kolkata early on Wednesday. The blaze erupted around 2 a.m. at a hotel on Free School Street, a busy area near New Market.

The fire department said all nine victims were Bangladeshi nationals. They had reportedly travelled to Kolkata for medical treatment. The exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined. Preliminary reports suggest that an explosion in the hotel's air-conditioning unit may have triggered the blaze. An investigation is underway.

Four fire service units were deployed to carry out rescue operations. Thick smoke from the fire hampered the rescue efforts. Of the 15 people rescued, six remain in critical condition. Police said they are checking whether more people are trapped inside the hotel.