Kolkata Hotel Fire: A heart-wrenching vacation story has come out from Kolkata where a Tamil Nadu family’s joy turned into a painful memory. What began as a fun-filled family trip ended in tragedy after a deadly fire broke out at Rituraj Hotel in Kolkata on Tuesday night, killing 14 people, including two children from the family.
T Prabhu, along with his wife, two children and father-in-law, had set out for a holiday from Tamil Nadu. Their travel included Delhi, Sikkim and Darjeeling. On their way back, they reached Kolkata to catch a train to Chennai. To rest before the train at 11.45 pm, they checked into Rituraj Hotel near the railway station. But that night changed everything.
Kolkata Hotel Fire: Family’s Painful Loss
While Prabhu and his wife had stepped out briefly to get dinner, a sudden fire engulfed the hotel. When they came back, they found the building in flames and people screaming for help. At first, they hoped their children and father-in-law might have reached the terrace. But sadly, after the fire was put out and bodies recovered, they realised the bitter truth — they had lost all three.
Prabhu’s 8-year-old daughter Diya and 3-year-old son Rithan died in the fire, along with his 61-year-old father-in-law. A crushed Prabhu shared, “We lost everything in this vacation.”
More Victims, Grief All Around
Among the 14 lives lost were people from different states like Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh. A hotel waiter, Manoj Paswan from Jharkhand, died after jumping from the third floor. A businessman from Odisha, Dusmanta Swain, also lost his life while visiting a friend in the city. Several others, including a teenager and a young woman, were also among the deceased.
Also Read: Kolkata Hotel Fire: 14 Dead, Many Injured in Rituraj Hotel Tragedy
What Went Wrong at the Hotel
Initial investigations have revealed shocking negligence. The hotel had no emergency exits, faulty fire alarms, and blocked staircases. To make matters worse, an illegal dance bar under construction on the same floor had sealed ventilation points. All this made it almost impossible for guests to escape.
The hotel’s fire safety certificate had reportedly expired back in 2022. West Bengal’s fire services officials confirmed this, saying the place lacked basic safety systems.
Hotel Owner and Manager Arrested
Kolkata Police arrested hotel owner Akash Chawla and manager Gourav Kapoor. A suo motu FIR was filed under sections of culpable homicide and fire safety laws. Both are being held responsible for this tragedy due to severe negligence and violation of safety norms.
PM and CM React
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the incident. He announced ₹2 lakh ex-gratia for each deceased’s family and ₹50,000 for the injured. Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also offered her condolences and said she monitored the rescue operations throughout the night. An official investigation has been launched.
A family’s vacation that started with excitement ended in unbearable grief. This heartbreaking incident highlights how dangerous negligence in safety measures can be. The loss of innocent lives, especially children, has left the entire country mourning. People are now demanding strict action against those responsible and better safety enforcement in hotels.
FAQs
How many people died in the Kolkata hotel fire?
A total of 14 people lost their lives in the fire.
Who were the victims from Tamil Nadu?
T Prabhu’s two children and father-in-law from Tamil Nadu died in the fire.
Where did the fire break out?
The fire broke out at Rituraj Hotel in Burrabazar, Kolkata.
What caused the fire?
Investigations suggest poor fire safety, blocked exits, and illegal constructions caused the deadly situation.
Has anyone been arrested?
Yes, hotel owner Akash Chawla and manager Gourav Kapoor have been arrested.
