Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari expressed deep grief and anguish over the tragic fire incident at a hotel on Mirza Ghalib Street in Kolkata. He extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and prayed for the departed souls. The Chief Minister directed the local administration to ensure that all those injured in the blaze receive the best possible medical treatment and full official support.
Addressing the situation, the Chief Minister criticized the previous administration for leaving behind a legacy of negligence regarding safety standards. He stated that past authorities allowed urban infrastructure to grow unchecked and permitted establishments to operate without adhering to basic fire safety norms. Adhikari added that the current government is working continuously to undo past damage and strictly enforce compliance audits and safety regulations.
To investigate the incident, the state government has immediately constituted a five-member Special Investigation Team (SIT). The SIT has been tasked with conducting a thorough probe into what went wrong and identifying any violations. The Chief Minister reaffirmed his government's resolve to establish the complete truth and ensure justice for the victims.
The tragic blaze broke out around 2:00 AM at the Shikha Inn hotel located at 15H Mirza Ghalib Street in central Kolkata. The early morning fire rapidly enveloped the building, claiming at least nine lives—including six men, two women, and a four-year-old child—due to severe smoke inhalation, while around 60 people were rescued unscathed by emergency responders. Early reports indicate that the structure suffered from severe safety oversights, including cramped cubicle-style rooms, a single entry-and-exit point, and no functioning emergency fire alarms or escape routes.