Kolkata Tiljala fire: Building owner Zafar Nishad arrested within 24 hours
Synopsis
A deadly fire in Kolkata's Tiljala neighbourhood killed two people and left five critically injured — and within 24 hours, the building owner was behind bars. With a high-level state probe underway and a short circuit flagged as the likely cause, the case is shining a harsh light on fire safety compliance in the city's densely packed buildings.
Key Takeaways
Two people , including building owner Zafar Nishad , were arrested from Palm Avenue, South Kolkata within 24 hours of the fire.
The fire broke out at 50/1 GJ Khan Road , Tiljala, on 13 May , killing two and leaving five critically injured.
Seven people were trapped; all were rescued by fire officials and taken to Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital .
Deaths were caused by severe respiratory distress ; a short circuit is the preliminary suspected cause.
Chief Minister Subhendu Adhikari ordered a high-level investigation committee , which is expected to submit its report on Wednesday.
Two people, including building owner Zafar Nishad, were arrested by Kolkata Police in less than 24 hours after a deadly fire tore through a multi-storey building in the Tiljala area of East Kolkata on Tuesday, 13 May, claiming two lives and leaving five others critically injured. The arrests were made from Palm Avenue in South Kolkata, police confirmed on Wednesday.
How the Fire Unfolded
The blaze broke out on the second floor of a four-storey building at 50/1 GJ Khan Road in Tiljala, spreading rapidly and engulfing the structure in thick black smoke. According to locals, the fire department was alerted almost immediately, with four fire engines rushing to the scene in quick succession.
Seven people were trapped in a room on the affected floor. Some accounts suggest they attempted to shelter in a washroom to escape the flames, but were overcome by suffocation. Fire officials eventually rescued all seven and rushed them to Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital, where doctors declared two dead. The remaining five are undergoing treatment for burns and are reportedly in a critical condition.
According to the fire department, the two fatalities occurred due to severe respiratory distress. A preliminary assessment suggests the fire may have originated from a short circuit, though the exact cause is still under investigation.
Government Response and Investigation
The state government moved swiftly, forming a high-level investigation committee on Tuesday on the instructions of Chief Minister Subhendu Adhikari. The committee conducted a detailed survey of the fire site and was expected to submit its report later on Wednesday.
Authorities also directed Kolkata Police to register a specific First Information Report (FIR) in the matter immediately. The two arrests — including that of the building owner — followed directly from the FIR being lodged.
Arrests and Legal Action
The swift arrest of Zafar Nishad and a second individual underscores the pressure on authorities to establish accountability in a case that has drawn public attention. The two were picked up from Palm Avenue in South Kolkata within the same day the FIR was registered.
This is not an isolated incident — fire safety violations in densely packed residential and commercial buildings across Kolkata have been a recurring concern, with investigators often pointing to illegal construction, blocked exits, and inadequate fire safety measures as contributing factors.
What Happens Next
The high-level committee's report is expected to shed light on structural compliance, fire safety norms, and whether the building had the requisite permissions. Police are continuing their investigation into the precise origin of the fire, and further legal action cannot be ruled out depending on what the inquiry reveals.
Point of View
But the harder question is what the high-level committee will find about the building's compliance history. Kolkata has seen repeated fire tragedies in multi-storey structures — many of them linked to blocked exits, absent fire NOCs, and unchecked illegal construction. Arresting the building owner is a necessary first step, but accountability in these cases routinely stalls at the investigation stage. The real test is whether the probe leads to systemic enforcement or remains a one-off response to public pressure.
NationPress
2 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested in connection with the Kolkata Tiljala fire?
Building owner Zafar Nishad and one other individual were arrested from Palm Avenue in South Kolkata within 24 hours of the fire. The arrests were made after Kolkata Police registered a specific FIR on the directions of the state government.
How many people died in the Tiljala fire in Kolkata?
Two people died in the Tiljala fire on 13 May, both due to severe respiratory distress after being trapped in a room on the second floor of the building. Five others remain hospitalised in a critical condition with burn injuries.
What caused the fire at GJ Khan Road in Tiljala?
The exact cause is still under investigation. A preliminary report from the fire department suggests the blaze may have started due to a short circuit on the second floor of the four-storey building at 50/1 GJ Khan Road.
What action did the West Bengal government take after the Tiljala fire?
Chief Minister Subhendu Adhikari ordered the formation of a high-level investigation committee on Tuesday, which conducted a site survey and was expected to submit its report on Wednesday. The government also directed Kolkata Police to immediately register an FIR.
What is the condition of the injured in the Tiljala fire?
Five people who were rescued from the building are undergoing treatment for burn injuries at Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital. Their condition is reported to be critical.
