Kolkata50 minutes agoAuthor: Tirthankar Das
The deadly fire at a hotel on Mirza Ghalib Street in New Market has once again brought Kolkata’s long history of fatal fires into focus.
Over the past two decades, Kolkata and other parts of West Bengal have witnessed at least 10 major fire incidents that together claimed more than 200 lives. Each tragedy has been followed by questions over negligence, arrests, new guidelines, and investigations. Authorities have repeatedly promised corrective measures, but similar incidents continue to raise concerns over fire safety.
From the Left Front era to the Trinamool Congress government and now the BJP-led administration, political power has changed, but the recurring scenes remain familiar: smoke filling rooms, flames blocking exits, power being disconnected, and fire exits allegedly locked or inadequate.
Topsia leather factory fire claimed lives of 9 people.
Here are some of the major incidents:
November 22, 2006: Topsia leather factory fire
A fire broke out at a leather factory in Topsia where around 40 workers were present. The factory reportedly had only one exit, and workers allegedly struggled to find its key. Nine people died, and 18 were injured.
Stephen Court fire killed 43 people.
March 23, 2010: Stephen Court fire
A massive fire engulfed Stephen Court on Park Street. Several people were trapped inside, and some reportedly jumped from the building while trying to escape. A total of 43 people died, while hundreds were injured.
People pay their respects with a candlelight tribute to AMRI fire victims. The fire took the lives of 93 people.
December 9, 2011: AMRI Hospital fire
A fire started in the basement of AMRI Hospital in Dhakuria, where flammable materials reportedly intensified the blaze. Toxic smoke spread through the hospital, trapping patients, particularly those in critical care. At least 93 people died.
Twenty people died in the 2013 Sealdah market fire.
February 27, 2013: Sealdah market fire
A fire broke out around 3.45 am at a paper and plastic market on Surya Sen Street in Sealdah. Several workers were sleeping inside and could not escape. Twenty people died.
9 people died, including four firefighters, a railway official, a police officer.
March 9, 2021: New Koilaghat Building fire
A major fire broke out at the Eastern Railway’s New Koilaghat Building on Strand Road. Nine people died, including four firefighters, a railway official, a police officer, and an RPF personnel. Several victims reportedly died of smoke inhalation.
The fire killed 14 people, including two children, and injured 13 others.
April 29, 2025: Mechhua hotel fire
A fire at a hotel in Mechhua killed 14 people, including two children, and injured 13 others. The tragedy once again raised questions over fire safety and maintenance in Kolkata’s congested hotel areas.
Missing-person complaints were filed for 27 people; the final death toll remained unclear.
January 26, 2026: Anandapur momo factory fire
A fire broke out at a warehouse linked to a momo factory in Anandapur’s Nazirabad area. Several workers from different districts were inside. After nearly 72 hours of searches, body parts were recovered. Missing-person complaints were filed for 27 people, although the final death toll remained unclear.
August 17, 2026: Tarapith Hotel Bideshini fire
A devastating fire broke out at Hotel Bideshini in Tarapith, Birbhum, killing nine people. The incident raised serious questions over the hotel’s fire-safety arrangements and how it had received its fire-safety certificate. Following the tragedy, Fire Department Station Officer Abhay Chowdhury was suspended.
The administration subsequently ordered the closure of 15 hotels in Tarapith. On Wednesday, police and executive magistrates visited the identified hotel and issued notices directing owners to vacate the premises and exit the establishments until the required fire-safety measures were completed and verified.
August 19, 2026: Mirza Ghalib Street hotel fire
A late-night fire at a hotel in the New Market area killed nine people and injured several others. Questions have been raised over the hotel’s fire-safety arrangements and evacuation facilities. A five-member SIT has been formed to investigate the incident.
(Graphics by Nikhil Valari)
