Seven killed, several injured in hotel fire near Tarapith temple in Bengal

Seven people were killed and several others critically injured after a fire broke out at a hotel near Tarapith Temple in West Bengal’s Birbhum district early Monday, while most guests were asleep.

The blaze started around 4:30 a.m. on the ground floor of the G+4 Hotel Bideshinii in Tarapith, Caliber.Az reports, citing Indian Media.

Officials said all seven victims died from asphyxiation after toxic smoke from the burning false ceiling, fiberglass and other combustible materials spread to the upper floors.

Firefighters brought the blaze under control and rescued several injured guests, who were taken to Rampurhat Government Medical College and Hospital.

Hotel officials said an electrical short circuit may have caused the fire, although the exact cause has not yet been established.

Authorities also remarked that the hotel had little or no basic fire detection and fire-prevention equipment.

The incident occurred on the final Monday of Shravan, a period when Tarapith attracts large numbers of devotees. An investigation into the fire is underway.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov