Kolkata, 19 August (H.S.): Serious questions have been raised over the fire safety arrangements and the role of the management of a hotel on Mirza Ghalib Street in Kolkata's New Market area, following a devastating fire on Tuesday night. Nine people have so far been confirmed dead in the incident, including six men, two women and a child.

Some guests staying at the hotel have alleged that they received no assistance from the management after the fire broke out. They also claimed that the hotel did not have adequate fire-fighting arrangements. As the fire spread, guests tried to escape, but thick smoke made it extremely difficult to find a way out.

One of the residents said that had the firefighters not arrived in time, they might not have survived either.

According to local residents, several hotels in the area accommodate people from other states and foreign countries who come to Kolkata for medical treatment. The fire broke out late Tuesday night when most of the guests were asleep, leaving several people trapped inside their rooms.

The multi-storey building reportedly has only one narrow access route. Residents alleged that the hotel also lacked an emergency exit. Some people reportedly took refuge inside bathrooms to escape the fire and smoke and tried to get out by breaking windows. Firefighters later reached the building and rescued those trapped inside.

A family was also residing on the top floor of the building. Firefighters rescued the family as well. A woman from the family alleged that the hotel operators had been repeatedly asked to put proper fire safety arrangements in place, but the required norms were not followed.

She further claimed that despite complaints being made to the authorities, no concrete action was taken.

The incident has now raised questions over how the hotel was allowed to operate without allegedly complying with mandatory fire safety standards and why timely action was not taken on complaints regarding safety arrangements. The role of the administration and other concerned departments has also come under scrutiny.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh