At least seven people were killed while four others were injured after a fire broke out in a hotel at Tarapith, a temple town in West Bengal’s Birbhum district in the early hours of Monday, police said.
“We rescued 11 people and rushed them to the hospital. At least seven of them have died. Four were injured. We are trying to ascertain the identities of the victims. Investigation is underway,” said Vidit Raj Bhundesh, superintendent of police (SP) of Birbhum.
According to people aware of the details, the fire broke out at the hotel’s reception around 4am when most of the guests were asleep. The fire soon spread to the other floors. Black smoke could be seen billowing out of the windows in videos shared on social media. HT could not independently verify the authenticity of the videos.
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As smoke engulfed the five-storey building many devotees managed to escape. Some even climbed down a tree adjacent to the hotel.
{{/usCountry}}As smoke engulfed the five-storey building many devotees managed to escape. Some even climbed down a tree adjacent to the hotel.
{{/usCountry}}Tarapith is a major Hindu pilgrimage in West Bengal centered around the Tarapith Temple dedicated to Goddess Tara. Thousands of devotees had gathered at the temple town as it was the last day of the Shravan month.