Kolkata, 21 August (H.S.) : A series of major fires over the past two decades has repeatedly exposed questions over fire safety, emergency exits and enforcement in Kolkata. From factories and markets to hospitals, railway buildings and hotels, the city has witnessed at least eight major fire incidents since 2006, with more than 200 people losing their lives.

The political leadership in West Bengal has changed over the years, but the pattern surrounding major fires has remained largely unchanged. Each tragedy is followed by investigations, arrests, new guidelines and assurances of corrective action. Yet, similar questions about fire safety and preparedness resurface after every major incident.

The latest fire at a hotel in the New Market area on August 19 has once again brought the issue into focus. Questions have been raised over the hotel’s fire-safety arrangements and the difficulties faced in rescuing people trapped inside.

On November 22, 2006, a fire broke out at a leather factory in Topsia where around 40 workers were present. The factory reportedly had only one exit, and workers allegedly struggled to find its key after the fire started. The incident claimed nine lives and left 18 people injured.

The Stephen Court fire on Park Street on March 23, 2010, became one of Kolkata’s most devastating fire tragedies. Several people were trapped inside the building, while others attempted to escape by jumping from the structure. Forty-three people died and hundreds were injured.

On December 9, 2011, a massive fire broke out at AMRI Hospital in Dhakuria. The blaze started in the basement and was accompanied by thick, toxic smoke. Many patients, particularly those in intensive care and those who were seriously ill, could not escape. The fire claimed 93 lives.

On February 27, 2013, a fire broke out before dawn at a paper and plastic market on Surya Sen Street near Sealdah. Several workers were sleeping inside the market when the fire started. Twenty people died in the incident.

Another major tragedy occurred on March 9, 2021, at the Eastern Railway’s New Koilaghat Building on Strand Road. At least nine people died, including railway officials, four firefighters, a police officer and an RPF personnel. Several victims reportedly died after being trapped in smoke.

On April 29, 2025, a fire at a hotel in Mechhua once again raised questions over fire-safety and maintenance standards in hotels in the area. Fourteen people, including two children, died, while 13 others were injured. A special investigation team of the Kolkata Police subsequently took up the probe.

On January 26, 2026, a fire broke out at a warehouse of a momo manufacturing unit in the Nazirabad area of Anandapur on the eastern fringes of Kolkata. The flames quickly spread to an adjoining warehouse where workers from different districts were present. Search operations continued for nearly 72 hours, during which several body parts were recovered. At least 18 victims were initially identified, while missing-person complaints had been filed for 27 people. The final death toll has remained unclear.

The latest incident, at a hotel in the New Market area on August 19, has again triggered questions over the fire-safety arrangements of hotels and guest houses across Kolkata and other parts of the state. An inquiry committee has been formed, while Fire and Emergency Services Minister Kaushik Chowdhury visited the site.

Chowdhury blamed the previous Trinamool Congress government for what he described as longstanding failures in fire safety, saying the present administration was having to deal with the consequences of past neglect. Urban Development Minister Agnimitra Pal also said that those found responsible for negligence would not be spared.

However, the latest tragedy has revived a larger question: despite repeated investigations, directives and political assurances after every major fire, has Kolkata’s fire-safety system really changed?

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh