A devastating fire at the Shikha Inn hotel in Central Kolkata has claimed nine lives. The victims include a Bangladeshi journalist's family and a young worker from Jharkhand.

  • A massive fire broke out at Shikha Inn hotel on Mirza Ghalib Street, Kolkata.
  • Nine people lost their lives, including five Bangladeshi nationals.
  • Victims include a journalist's family and a 19-year-old hotel staffer from Jharkhand.
  • Survivors described a terrifying night of suffocating smoke and blocked exits.

A nightmare unfolded at the Shikha Inn hotel in the New Market area of Kolkata during the early hours of Wednesday. A massive blaze engulfed the building on Mirza Ghalib Street, turning a quiet night into a scene of chaos and tragedy. The fire spread rapidly, trapping guests in smoke-filled rooms and making escape nearly impossible.

The tragedy has claimed the lives of nine individuals. Among the deceased is the family of Bangladeshi journalist Debashis Dutta (37). The victims include his wife Afsana Shirmin (25), their four-year-old son Swarnashis, and Afsana’s father Akram Ali. The family had reportedly traveled to India for medical treatment. Other Bangladeshi victims identified include Babu Ahmed (37) and Akram Ali (74).

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that urban hospitality safety remains a critical concern in high-density zones like Central Kolkata. The reliance on narrow concrete stairs and the heat conductivity of metal structures during fires can turn escape routes into death traps, highlighting an urgent need for stricter fire safety audits in older commercial buildings.

"In high-rise hospitality settings, the window between a small fire and a mass casualty event is incredibly narrow, demanding flawless exit strategies."

The victim list also includes 19-year-old Sandeep Paswan from Giridih, Jharkhand, who worked at the hotel. Sandeep had recently moved to Kolkata to support his family following his father's death. Additionally, 68-year-old Yog Narayan Aggarwal from Siliguri was identified among the Indian victims. The loss of such young lives underscores the human cost of these structural tragedies.

Survivors recounted harrowing tales of survival. Prithvi and Pankaj Agari, tourists from Uttar Pradesh, described how the iron stairs became too hot to touch. In a desperate bid for survival, they had to leap from balconies, hopping across air conditioning units to reach safety. Another survivor, Mohd Nazmul, recalled the suffocating lack of oxygen as smoke filled the fourth floor.

Did You Know?: Most fatalities in building fires are caused by smoke inhalation and toxic gases rather than direct contact with flames.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: How many people died in the Kolkata hotel fire?
Answer: A total of nine people died in the blaze.

Question 2: Who were the primary victims mentioned?
Answer: The victims included a Bangladeshi journalist's family and a young worker from Jharkhand.