Kolkata, Apr 30 (UNI) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is currently in the Digha for the inauguration of the newly constructed Jagannath Temple, called up Mayor Firhad Hakim and the Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma on Wednesday to enquire about the devastating fire in central Kolkata that has claimed 14 lives so far.

Sources close to the development said that Banerjee, deeply anxious after being informed about the fire, immediately called up Hakim and Verma and issued instructions. She also directed both of them to be present at the site to personally oversee the rescue operation.

The Chief Minister instructed officials to immediately contact the families of the many out-of-state visitors staying at the hotel and emphasised that those currently undergoing treatment must receive urgent and attentive care.

In one of the most devastating fires in recent memory, 14 people lost their lives at a hotel near Falpatti Machhua in Burrabazar, central Kolkata.

“The fire broke out around 8:15 PM at Rituraj Hotel. Fourteen bodies have been recovered so far, and several individuals have been rescued by emergency teams,” a senior official of the Kolkata Police confirmed.

The bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination mainly in three hospitals, including Calcutta Medical College and Hospital, N R S Medical College and Hospital and R G Kar Medical College and Hospital. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to determine the cause of the fire.
“If any negligence or foul play is found, strict action will be taken against those responsible,” said the Kolkata police commissioner, who visited the spot.

Ten fire engines were dispatched to extinguish the blaze. After nearly eight hours of effort, the fire brigade managed to bring the blaze under control but could not fully put it out.
Most of the victims died due to suffocation after inhaling the toxic plumes.
The rescue operation is still on.

Hakim, who was present on the site late on Tuesday night, told the reporters, “The fire originated on the second floor and quickly spread to the other floors of the building. Firefighters are currently working to cool down the affected areas to safely continue rescue operations. A forensic team is expected to visit the site, and only after their investigation will the exact cause of the fire be determined.”
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