Kolkata, August 17, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The death toll in the hotel fire at Tarapith in West Bengal’s Birbhum district rose to seven on Monday, with police arresting the owner of the building, officials said.
Birbhum District Police Superintendent Vidit Raj Bundesh confirmed that hotel owner Kalyan Paul, who runs the establishment named ‘Bideshini’, has been taken into custody.
Police are investigating whether the hotel’s firefighting equipment was functional and whether all mandatory fire safety norms were being followed.
The fire broke out at around 5 a.m. at the hotel located near Tarapith Police Station. The initial assessment by the fire department indicated that a short circuit may have triggered the blaze.
Although smoke spread up to the fifth floor, the fire was largely confined to the first floor and partially affected the second floor.
Police said 22 people were rescued from the building, including nine who were found unconscious. Several injured persons were discharged after receiving initial treatment, while two remained admitted at Rampurhat Government Medical College and Hospital. The others were reported to be out of danger.
All seven deceased were pilgrims who had travelled to Tarapith from different districts to offer prayers on the third Monday of the holy month of Shravan.
Questions have also been raised over the hotel’s emergency exits. Several residents alleged that a rear exit door was closed, preventing them from escaping through it. Paul, however, claimed that panic prevented guests from locating the rear exit and forced them towards the reception area, where several people were caught in the fire.
Police said both versions were being examined as part of the investigation.
A district police officer said the hotel had a firefighting system and two separate staircases as required under safety regulations. However, the staircase windows were closed, preventing smoke from escaping and causing several people to fall ill due to smoke inhalation.
“Paul has been arrested and taken to the police station. He is being questioned,” the officer said.
The investigation will determine whether lapses in fire safety arrangements or violations of prescribed norms contributed to the deaths.
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