Kolkata, August 17, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The death toll in the Tarapith hotel fire in West Bengal’s Birbhum district rose to eight on Monday, with five victims belonging to the same family from Meghalaya who had travelled to the temple town to offer prayers at the famous Goddess Tara shrine.
According to police, the five family members were staying on the fifth floor of the hotel when the fire broke out. Although the flames had not reached their floor, they reportedly panicked and attempted to escape by taking the staircase towards the ground floor, where the fire was intense.
“All five were engulfed in fire and ultimately died,” a district police officer said.
The deceased included five adult men, one woman and two minors. The five members of the Meghalaya family, from Shibbari village in South Garo Hills, were identified as Rajendra Nath, Asha Nath, Buran Modak, Oushonath Modok and Shibraj Modak, aged eight and 10.
The other three victims were identified as Kamal Roy, Amit Paul and Subir Saha, all residents of Alipurduar district in North Bengal.
Officials said 28 people were evacuated safely from the hotel. Seven others are undergoing treatment at Rampurhat Government Medical College Hospital.
Police have arrested Kalyan Paul, owner of the hotel, identified as ‘Bideshini’. Investigators are examining whether the hotel’s firefighting equipment was operational and whether mandatory fire safety norms were being followed.
Local residents have alleged that a rear exit door of the hotel was closed, restricting the movement of guests during the fire. Paul, however, disputed the claim, saying panic prevented people from finding the exit and led them to move towards the reception area, where several people were trapped in the blaze.
Police are investigating both versions as part of the probe into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
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