Kolkata Hotel Fire Leads to Arrest of Lease Holder

Police have arrested the lease holder of Shikha Inn hotel in Kolkata following a major fire that claimed nine lives. The arrest was made late Wednesday night in the Entally Main Market area, while the hotel manager and one employee are currently in police custody for questioning. Authorities are actively searching for the hotel owner, Bireshwar Mitra.

Details of the Fire Incident

The fire broke out between 1:30 AM and 2:00 AM on Tuesday on the third floor of the six-story building located on Mirza Ghalib Street. Initial investigations reveal the hotel lacked an emergency exit and had only one narrow staircase for movement. The area, covering approximately 1100 square feet, contained small rooms with poor ventilation and lighting. Among the nine deceased, five were Bangladeshi nationals, and three belonged to the same family.

Investigation and Safety Violations

Primary police reports indicate that the hotel did not have basic fire safety arrangements. The hotel management failed to produce fire safety permits and trade licenses to the authorities. Following the incident, the local administration has ordered the closure of all hotels and restaurants operating within the building. Police are investigating the role of the owner, Bireshwar Mitra, who remains unreachable since the incident. For further updates on safety regulations, citizens can refer to the official portal of the Government of West Bengal.