A massive fire at the Rituraj Hotel in Kolkata’s Burrabazar area claimed the lives of 15 people, including a woman and two children, while leaving at least 13 others injured on the night of April 29. The tragedy unfolded in the densely populated Mechuapatti locality, as thick smoke rapidly engulfed the six-storey building, trapping many of the 88 guests staying in 42 rooms. Eyewitnesses described a horrifying scene of chaos and panic, with guests crying for help, leaning out of windows, and attempting desperate escapes. Firefighters battled the blaze through the night with ten fire tenders, finally bringing it under control by Wednesday morning.

The deceased include 11 men, eight of whom have been identified, while several of the injured remain in critical condition. According to the police, the fire broke out around 7:30 PM and quickly turned the budget hotel into a death trap, with guests choking on thick smoke and stumbling in darkness after a sudden power outage. A special forensic team has been deployed to determine the cause of the fire, and the entire area has been sealed off for investigation. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced ex-gratia compensation, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended condolences and financial aid to the victims’ families.

In response to the incident, the Kolkata Police has set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the circumstances leading to the deadly fire. Meanwhile, political tensions escalated as BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar criticized CM Mamata Banerjee for continuing with an inauguration event in Digha during the unfolding disaster. He accused her of ignoring the tragic situation and prioritizing political optics over crisis management. As grieving families begin to mourn their losses, questions are being raised about the city’s fire safety measures and the preparedness of local authorities to handle such emergencies.