65 dead in West Bengal fires since 2025, paper slams negligence

At least 65 people, many of them poor, migrant workers and pilgrims, have died in major fires in West Bengal since 2025, with the latest blaze at the Shikha Inn in Kolkata highlighting systemic safety failures. The hotel was housed in a century-old building not designed for such use, with five floors of hotels and electrical systems overloaded by modern appliances. The August 17 fire at Tarapith, which killed several pilgrims, was also electrical, and spread rapidly due to flammable materials in the pilgrim hotel.

The fires expose a broader pattern of repurposed old buildings, single stairways, and disregard for fire safety laws across India, the paper argues. It notes that the new BJP government, led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, has blamed the TMC for a 'legacy of negligence' but has itself been silent on crumbling infrastructure in its first 100 days. The paper urges Mr. Adhikari to focus on urban renewal and governance rather than political attacks.