Kolkata building fire kills 2, injures 3 on GJ Khan Road in Tapsia
Synopsis
A fire tore through a four-storey building in Kolkata's Tapsia neighbourhood on Tuesday, trapping five people who hid in a bathroom to survive. Two are dead from smoke inhalation, three remain critical, and authorities warn the toll could climb as investigations into the suspected short circuit begin.
Key Takeaways
Two people killed and three critically injured in a building fire at 50/1 GJ Khan Road, Tapsia, East Kolkata on 12 May .
All five trapped occupants hid in a bathroom before being rescued in a burnt condition .
The two fatalities died due to severe respiratory distress from smoke inhalation, according to the fire department.
Four fire engines were deployed; the fire is now reported to be under control.
A short circuit is the preliminary suspected cause; a formal investigation is underway.
Authorities have warned the death toll may rise given the critical condition of the three survivors.
Two people were killed and three others critically injured after a fire broke out in a multi-storey building at 50/1 GJ Khan Road in the Tapsia area of East Kolkata on Tuesday afternoon, 12 May. The five trapped occupants were rescued in a burnt condition and rushed to Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital, where two were declared dead.
How the Fire Unfolded
According to locals, the blaze originated on the second floor of the four-storey building before spreading rapidly. Thick black smoke engulfed the surroundings within minutes of the fire breaking out. Residents who noticed the emergency immediately alerted the fire department, which dispatched four fire engines to the site in quick succession.
At the time of the fire, five people were trapped inside the room. In a desperate bid to survive, all five took refuge in the bathroom. However, the dense black smoke created suffocating conditions even there, making escape impossible without external assistance. Fire officials worked urgently to rescue the occupants, eventually pulling all five out in a burnt state.
Cause and Casualties
According to the fire department, the two fatalities died due to severe respiratory distress caused by smoke inhalation. The remaining three survivors are undergoing treatment at the hospital with burn injuries, and their condition is described as critical. Authorities have warned that the death toll may rise given the severity of the injuries.
The exact cause of the fire has not yet been officially confirmed. The preliminary assessment by the fire department suggests a short circuit may have triggered the blaze, though a formal investigation is currently underway.
Emergency Response
Police personnel and senior administration officials were present at the scene to manage the situation. The fire is reported to be under control as of the latest update. The scale of the emergency response — with four engines deployed — reflects the intensity of the blaze, which generated enough smoke to obscure visibility across the immediate neighbourhood.
What Comes Next
Authorities are conducting a serious investigation into the incident to determine the precise cause and assess whether building safety norms were followed. The condition of the three hospitalised survivors will be closely monitored in the coming hours, as officials have not ruled out a rise in the death toll.
Point of View
And each cycle follows the same pattern: emergency response, a short-circuit hypothesis, and an investigation that rarely produces accountability. The critical question is not just how this fire started, but why five residents were effectively trapped with no viable escape.
NationPress
4 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Kolkata building fire on 12 May?
A fire broke out on the second floor of a four-storey building at 50/1 GJ Khan Road in Tapsia, East Kolkata on Tuesday afternoon, 12 May. Two people were killed and three others critically injured after all five trapped occupants were rescued in a burnt condition and taken to Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital.
What caused the Tapsia building fire in Kolkata?
The exact cause has not been officially confirmed. The fire department's preliminary assessment suggests a short circuit may have started the blaze, and a formal investigation is currently underway.
How many fire engines responded to the Kolkata building fire?
Four fire engines were dispatched to the site at 50/1 GJ Khan Road in Tapsia. The fire is reported to be under control as of the latest update.
Where were the injured taken after the Kolkata fire?
All five people rescued from the building were taken to Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital. Two were declared dead on arrival by doctors, while the remaining three are undergoing treatment for burn injuries in critical condition.
Could the Kolkata fire death toll rise further?
Yes, authorities have indicated the death toll may increase. The three survivors are in critical condition with severe burns, and the fire department has not ruled out further fatalities.
