Howrah Andul fire kills one, 12 rescued from Mourigram residence
Synopsis
Days after nine people died in a Kolkata hotel fire, another deadly blaze has struck West Bengal — this time a residential building in Howrah's Andul, killing a 72-year-old woman and trapping over a dozen residents. Fire officials flagged the absence of any fire-extinguishing system in the building, pointing to a systemic safety failure that has now claimed lives twice in quick succession.
Key Takeaways
A fire broke out in a residential building in Mourigram, Andul, Howrah on Wednesday afternoon .
Gopa Chakraborty, 72 , was killed; 12 residents were rescued alive.
The fire is believed to have started in the kitchen on the second floor , with a short circuit also under investigation.
Five fire engines were deployed; the blaze was brought under control after several hours.
The building had no adequate fire-extinguishing system , according to fire department sources.
The incident follows a hotel fire on Free School Street, Kolkata just days earlier that killed nine people .
A major fire tore through a residential building in the Mourigram area of Andul, Howrah district, on Wednesday afternoon, killing one person and trapping several others across multiple floors. 12 residents were rescued alive, while five fire engines were deployed to bring the blaze under control.
How the Fire Spread
According to fire department sources, the blaze is believed to have originated on the second floor of the three-storey residential building. A preliminary investigation indicated the kitchen as the likely point of origin, from where the fire rapidly spread across the entire floor and subsequently to lower levels. Officials have not ruled out a short circuit as an alternate cause. Dense black smoke engulfed the building and its surroundings, creating a suffocating environment that trapped residents on different floors.
Rescue Operations and Casualties
The deceased has been identified as Gopa Chakraborty, 72, a resident of the building. Several others who were rescued were taken to hospital, with a few reported to have fallen ill due to smoke inhalation. Fire department officials confirmed that arrangements were made to transport affected residents to medical facilities promptly. Firefighters, alongside local residents, worked to evacuate those trapped on various floors before the blaze was brought under control after several hours of effort.
Fire Safety Concerns Flagged
Fire department sources noted that the building lacked an adequate fire-extinguishing system, a factor that complicated the response. Officials are continuing operations at the site to ensure no pocket fires remain. The absence of basic fire safety infrastructure in residential buildings has drawn renewed attention in the wake of this incident.
Second Major Fire Incident in Bengal Within Days
Notably, this fire comes just days after a blaze at a hotel on Free School Street in central Kolkata claimed nine lives. The Howrah incident adds to growing concern about fire safety standards in residential and commercial buildings across West Bengal. This is the second fatal fire in the state within a short span, raising urgent questions about enforcement of fire safety norms. Authorities are expected to face increased pressure to conduct inspections and mandate compliance across high-density residential areas.
Point of View
No fire exits, and no extinguishing systems, yet face minimal enforcement action. The Howrah fire department's own finding that the Andul building lacked basic fire-suppression infrastructure should be a prosecutable failure, not a footnote. With nine dead in Free School Street and now another fatality in Howrah, the question is not whether Bengal has a fire safety crisis — it is whether the administration will treat it as one before the next blaze.
NationPress
26 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the Howrah Andul fire break out?
The fire broke out in a residential building in the Mourigram area of Andul, Howrah district, West Bengal, on Wednesday afternoon. The blaze started on the second floor and spread to lower floors of the three-storey structure.
Who died in the Howrah Andul fire?
The deceased has been identified as Gopa Chakraborty, aged 72, a resident of the building. She was the sole fatality reported in the incident.
How many people were rescued from the Andul fire?
Twelve residents were rescued alive from the building. Several were taken to hospital, with a few reported ill due to smoke inhalation.
What caused the fire in Andul, Howrah?
A preliminary investigation by the fire department suggests the kitchen on the second floor may have been the point of origin. Officials have also not ruled out a short circuit as a possible cause; the investigation is ongoing.
How does this fire relate to the recent Kolkata hotel fire?
The Andul fire occurred just days after a fire at a hotel on Free School Street in central Kolkata killed nine people. The two incidents together have intensified scrutiny of fire safety standards in West Bengal's buildings.
