What happened in Kolkata's hotel fire case? Another arrest made

Synopsis
The Kolkata Police continue their investigation into a tragic hotel fire that claimed 15 lives, with the fourth arrest made recently. This incident, which raises serious questions about fire safety compliance and emergency protocols, has garnered attention from local authorities and national leaders. Compensation for victims is underway, but accountability remains a pressing issue.
Key Takeaways
- Four arrests made in the hotel fire case.
- The fire resulted in 15 fatalities, primarily due to smoke inhalation.
- Serious lapses in fire safety protocols were identified.
- Local authorities faced criticism for ignoring past complaints.
- Government officials announced compensation for victims.
Kolkata, May 5 (NationPress) The Kolkata Police have made yet another arrest in relation to the tragic hotel fire that occurred on April 29 at Madan Mohan Burman Street in central Kolkata, claiming the lives of 15 individuals.
The latest individual taken into custody is Muhammad Sagir Ali, the hotel supervisor at the site of the blaze.
A police insider revealed that Ali is being held accountable for improperly storing flammable materials within the hotel. He also had oversight of the hotel’s interior decorations.
Previously, Akash Chawla, the hotel owner, and Gaurav Kapur, the hotel manager, were arrested on May 1, just two days following the incident. Subsequently, on May 2, Khurshid Alam, whose agency was handling ongoing renovations at the hotel, was also apprehended.
Preliminary investigations have indicated significant failures not only in fire safety protocols but also in emergency evacuation procedures and ventilation systems. Most fatalities were attributed to suffocation from smoke rather than direct burns.
Local residents have expressed frustration, stating that despite multiple complaints regarding illegal constructions at the hotel, neither the Kolkata Municipal Corporation nor the police acted to avert this disaster.
In response to the tragedy, both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee have promised compensation for the victims' families and those injured in the fire.
Mamata Banerjee has also assured that stringent actions will be taken against those responsible for the incident.