Kolkata hotel fire kills nine; leaseholder arrested, owner sought

A major fire at a hotel in Kolkata has claimed nine lives, prompting authorities to arrest the establishment's leaseholder and detain two others in connection with the incident. The blaze, which gutted portions of the structure, left a trail of casualties spanning multiple states and countries. Police said five of the victims are Bangladeshi nationals, while one each hailed from Bihar and West Bengal. Two additional bodies remain unidentified pending formal verification.

Investigations have revealed significant gaps in the hotel's safety protocols and operational compliance. Authorities are focusing their inquiry on whether adequate fire safety measures were in place and whether emergency evacuation procedures were followed. The arrest of the leaseholder marks the first major development in the ongoing probe.

Police have launched a manhunt for Bireshwar Mitra, the hotel's owner, who remains absconding. Investigators are examining whether negligence or violations of fire safety regulations contributed to the disaster. The incident has drawn scrutiny of hotel safety standards across the city's hospitality sector.

Fire department officials said the blaze spread rapidly through multiple floors, hampering rescue operations. Emergency responders faced challenges in locating and evacuating occupants from the affected areas. The exact cause of the fire is still being determined through forensic examination of the site.