7 Killed in Tarapith Hotel Fire

A massive fire broke out at a four-storey hotel in Tarapith, West Bengal's Birbhum district, early on Monday, killing at least seven people and leaving several others critically injured. The fire erupted around 5 am on the ground floor of the hotel, when most of the guests were asleep.

Fire tenders were rushed to the spot and brought the blaze under control. The injured were taken to the Rampurhat Government Medical College and Hospital.

According to sources, the fire may have been caused by an electrical short circuit. Hotel officials also claimed that the fire was due to a short circuit.

The death toll was initially reported to be five, but was later revised to seven by the police. A senior official confirmed that seven people had lost their lives in the blaze.

Twenty-two people were rescued using ladders, and 11 others were sent to the hospital. Some of the victims were pilgrims who had come to the town to offer prayers at the famous Kali temple.

A woman from Kolkata, who managed to escape the blaze, recalled the panic inside the hotel. She said that the entire hotel was engulfed in smoke, making it hard to breathe and find an escape route.

The police are investigating the cause of the fire. The incident has raised concerns about the safety and security of hotels and other establishments in the area.

The town of Tarapith is a popular pilgrimage site, and the hotel where the fire broke out was likely to have been filled with pilgrims and other travelers. The incident is a tragic reminder of the importance of fire safety and emergency preparedness.

The incident has also highlighted the need for regular safety inspections and maintenance of electrical systems in hotels and other establishments. The police and other authorities will be investigating the cause of the fire and taking steps to prevent such incidents in the future.