Kolkata: Fire Sweeps Through Rituraj Hotel, Killing 14 People, WB Police Form SIT To Probe Incident

A massive fire broke out at a hotel in central Kolkata on Tuesday, April 29, leading to chaotic situation in the area. The fire erupted at the Rituraj Hotel around 7:30 PM with several guests inside. As many as 14 people including one woman and two children lost their lives in the fire. Later, Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma said a Special Investigation Team (SIT) will probe the cause of the fire. While most victims died of suffocation, one person reportedly died after falling from the building in an attempt to escape the flames. Initial reports also indicated that many of the deceased were guests who had been unable to exit their rooms in time when the fire broke out.