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A devastating fire at a five-storey hotel in Tarapith, Birbhum district, West Bengal, killed at least six people and critically injured several others early Monday.
The injured are receiving treatment at Rampurhat Government Medical College and Hospital, where doctors warned that the death toll could rise as some patients remain in critical condition.
The fire broke out at around 5 AM at Hotel Bideshini, located near a pond and close to Tarapith Police Station.
A short circuit may have triggered the blaze, which quickly spread while most guests slept.
Several children were staying at the hotel. Thick smoke soon trapped guests inside and sparked panic among locals.
Police personnel quickly reached the spot, and several fire tenders rushed to contain the blaze.
Firefighters brought the fire under control, but the flames had already damaged a large section of the ground floor.
Some guests suffered severe burns, while others fell ill after inhaling smoke.
Rescue teams evacuated the injured and shifted them to the nearby hospital.
Hotel owner Kalyan Paul said the night watchman noticed the fire soon after it started and immediately used the available fire extinguishers.
The hotel’s power supply was disconnected in an attempt to prevent the flames from spreading further.
Paul said the fire quickly spread through fibre-optic materials in the furnishings.
Although flames remained on the ground floor, thick smoke reached the fifth floor.
Many guests failed to find the rear exit and rushed towards the reception area, where the flames trapped some of them.
Authorities are investigating the exact cause of the fire and assessing the safety measures in place at the hotel.
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