Seven Killed, Several Injured in Hotel Fire in West Bengal's Tarapith

At least seven people were killed and several others critically injured in a fire that broke out early Monday at a hotel in Tarapith, a temple town in West Bengal’s Birbhum district, according to multiple reports. The blaze, which erupted around 4:30 a.m. on the ground floor of a four-storey hotel, trapped guests in their rooms as smoke and flames spread rapidly through flammable materials, authorities said. Many of the victims were pilgrims visiting the site, which includes a shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, during the holy month of Shravan.

The fire, which began near the hotel’s reception area, was initially attributed to a short circuit by hotel management, though the exact cause remains under investigation. Police confirmed the death toll had risen to seven from an initial report of five, with some injured suffering burns and others succumbing to asphyxiation. Firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control, and the injured were transported to the Rampurhat Government Medical College and Hospital, where some remained in critical condition.

Survivors described chaotic scenes of panic as smoke filled the building. A woman from Kolkata recounted how the hotel was “engulfed in smoke” and escape routes became obscured. Tapanjyoti Mondal, a guest trapped in his room with his wife and two children, described how they escaped through a bathroom ceiling opening after the door was blocked by flames. His mother was found unconscious, and his sister suffered injuries in the incident, according to reports.

Local police and fire brigade teams arrived swiftly, rescuing 22 individuals using ladders and transporting 11 to hospitals. Superintendent of Police Vidit Raj Bhundesh stated that the building’s glass panes and enclosed design prevented visibility of smoke and flames from the outside, complicating rescue efforts. He also noted that hotel operators had been taken into custody following the filing of an FIR, with an investigation underway to determine the cause of the fire.

The tragedy has drawn criticism of local authorities, with BJP MLA Dhruba Saha condemning the lack of fire safety measures. “The system was already in shambles. TRDA should be overhauled. They made such a huge building, but there was no arrangement to control fire,” he said, referring to the Tarapith Rampurhat Development Authority. The incident has reignited concerns about infrastructure and safety in religious pilgrimage sites, where large crowds often gather during festivals.

While the hotel fire dominated coverage, another incident in eastern India on the same day added to the region’s turmoil. A stampede at a Hindu temple in Bihar’s Lakhisarai district, triggered by a snapped electric wire, killed at least seven people and injured dozens, according to reports. The two events underscore the risks faced by pilgrims during religious festivals, when overcrowding and inadequate safety protocols frequently lead to disasters.

Authorities in West Bengal have not yet released a detailed timeline of the fire’s progression, but preliminary accounts suggest the blaze spread quickly due to the hotel’s construction materials. The incident has prompted calls for stricter fire safety regulations, particularly in areas with high tourist traffic. As the investigation continues, families of the victims await further updates on the circumstances that led to the tragedy.

"Suddenly, the entire hotel was engulfed in smoke. We could not breathe, and it was hard to find an escape route."

Woman from Kolkata, via oneindia.com

"Neither smoke nor flames were visible from the outside. Police and fire brigade teams arrived at the scene; 22 people were rescued using ladders, and 11 others were sent to the hospital."

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Vidit Raj Bhundesh, Superintendent of Police, via aninews.in