Four from Odisha among 14 dead in Kolkata hotel fire

In a devastating incident in Kolkata of neighbouring West Bengal, as many as four individuals from Odisha lost their lives after a fire broke out in a hotel, police sources said on Wednesday. At least 14 persons were killed while several others sustained severe burn injuries after the major fire broke out in central Kolkata's Mechuapatti locality on Tuesday night.

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Identities of the four deceased from Odisha

Three of the deceased include Manoj Patra, Dushmant Kumar Nayak, and Dushmant Kumar Swain, who hailed from Jagatsinghpur district. They were in Kolkata on business, employed by a private finance company based in Bhubaneswar.

The fourth victim was identified as well-known businessman Rajesh Santuka from the CDA of Cuttack City, the police sources informed.

The blaze resulted in a total of 14 deaths as it spread rapidly through the hotel premises.

According to local sources, the blaze was first spotted at around 8.30 PM, leading to panic in the congested Burrabazar, trapping several guests in their rooms as they were unable to escape in time. Rescue operations were promptly launched, but the intensity of the fire posed significant challenges.

Families of the deceased have been notified, and arrangements are being made to bring the bodies back to Odisha for the last rites.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire to determine any lapses in safety protocols.

While many have been left battling for their lives with burn injuries, two people sustained injuries while trying to jump from the fourth floor.

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“They (the three youths) had gone on business work for their company to Kolkata and were staying in ‘Ruturaj Hotel’ there. A major fire broke out, leading to the untimely deaths,” the relative of a victim from Jagatsinghpur said to OTV.

Reported By: Manas, Prabhat Bisoi