Nine killed in Tarapith hotel fire, one detained

Nine pilgrims died and several were injured in a fire at a four-storey hotel in Tarapith, West Bengal, early on Monday. The blaze broke out around 4:30 am on the ground floor, suspected due to a short circuit, while most guests were asleep. Police detained one person for alleged lapses in the hotel's fire-fighting system.

Of the 43 people in the hotel, one remains hospitalised while 34 have been discharged. The fire spread rapidly through decorative materials, trapping guests on upper floors. Fire tenders brought the blaze under control, and the injured were taken to Rampurhat Government Medical College and Hospital.

The Birbhum district administration has announced a special audit of electrical and fire safety arrangements in all hotels and lodges ahead of the Kaushiki Amavasya festival. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari expressed grief and promised strict action. Former CM Mamata Banerjee also expressed sorrow.