Tarapith: At least seven people were killed and several others critically injured after a massive fire broke out at a hotel near the Tarapith temple in Birbhum district of West Bengal early Monday morning. Many of those staying at the hotel were pilgrims who had travelled to the temple town during the holy month of Shravan.
The fire broke out at around 4:30-5 am on the ground floor of the four-storey Hotel Bideshini, when most of the guests were asleep. The blaze and thick smoke quickly spread through the building, leaving several people trapped inside. Officials said the building had glass panes and enclosed doors, which reportedly made it difficult for smoke and flames to be noticed from outside.
Firefighters were rushed to the spot after the incident was reported. Rescue operations were launched immediately, and the blaze was eventually brought under control. Several guests were rescued from the building and taken to hospital after suffering injuries and smoke inhalation.
According to Birbhum police, 22 people were rescued alive from the hotel, while 11 were taken to hospital for treatment. Two people were still undergoing treatment, according to the latest information available from police.
The injured were taken to Rampurhat Government Medical College and Hospital. Several of them were reported to be in critical condition, and authorities were continuing to monitor their health.
The preliminary assessment by the fire department suggests that an electrical short circuit may have triggered the blaze. However, officials have not yet ruled out other possibilities, and a detailed investigation is underway to establish exactly how the fire started and how it spread so rapidly.
Police have also begun examining the hotel's safety arrangements, including its emergency exits and fire-fighting systems. Reports have raised questions over whether the building had adequate arrangements for guests to escape during an emergency.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through Tarapith, one of West Bengal's major pilgrimage destinations. The town has been witnessing a heavy influx of devotees during Shravan, increasing the number of visitors staying in local hotels and lodges.
The incident has once again brought the issue of fire safety in hotels and guesthouses in pilgrimage towns into focus. Authorities are expected to review safety measures in hotels around Tarapith to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
