"Fire extinguishing systems here were in a defunct condition": DG Ranvir Kumar on Kolkata hotel fire
Fire tenders and a forensic team reached the hotel near Falpatti Machhua in Kolkata, where 14 people died and several were injured after a fire broke out last night.
ANI
Apr 30, 2025 16:58 IST
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], April 30 (ANI): Fire tenders and a forensic team reached the hotel near Falpatti Machhua in Kolkata, where 14 people died and several were injured after a fire broke out last night.
Fire and Emergency Services DG Ranvir Kumar said that a fire extinguishing system was in a defunct condition in the building.
"A large area of around 100 square metres of the first floor was being renovated. They were probably trying to extend the area. For this, plywood and other combustible materials were stored there. Some fire was initiated, probably while the work was being done, and it spread. We perceive that the smoke got trapped in the stairs and travelled to the second and third floors because of the fire. That is why the casualties there were more," DG Ranvir Kumar said.
"The fire extinguishing systems here were in a defunct condition. None of the sprinklers, the fire detection system, or the alarms worked... The hotel authority had taken an FSC (Fire Safety Certificate) in 2016 and renewed it for the subsequent few years. But it had not been renewed in the last 3 years... A complaint has been registered at the police station, and an FIR has been lodged," he added.
Earlier, CM Mamata Banerjee announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 Lakh for the next of kin of the deceased.
"Continuing to monitor the fallout of the unfortunate fire incident at a private hotel (Rituraj) in the Burra Bazar area and appreciate the Fire Services' and police efforts in rescuing around 99 persons from the most adverse circumstances. We are also thankful to the local people for their cooperation and assistance in the rescue operations. It has been preliminarily reported to me that those who died were victims of suffocation/ jumping, etc. Further investigations are going on. The State Government will provide an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased, while injured persons will receive Rs 50,000 each. Reiterate my condolences and solidarity," she said in a post on X.
The fire broke out at Hotel Rituraj in Kolkata's Burra Bazar area on Tuesday night and took hours to bring under control, leaving 14 people dead. (ANI)
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