The anatomy of a tragedy: Nine hotels share space with offices, homes in one building
Times of India | 20 August 2026
Kolkata: All the deaths in the blaze that broke out in a commercial building at 15G, Mirza Ghalib Street occurred on the ill-fated second floor, which investigators said had been altered extensively and housed multiple establishments in cramped conditions.
Police said the deaths were the result of gross negligence and that fire and building safety rules were blatantly violated.
The building has at least nine other hotels. The second floor housed four of them, including Shikha Inn, where the tragedy unfolded early on Wednesday. Two offices also operated from the same floor.
Long-time residents said the property was originally fully residential but was gradually converted for commercial use. Flats were first rented out as offices and later, turned into low-budget lodges and guesthouses to cater to the growing clientele of Bangladeshi tourists, flocking to the area, looking for affordable accommodations.
Shikha Inn had nine rooms on the second floor and bodies were recovered from four of them. The absence of smoke detectors and fire alarms meant guests sleeping at the time were not alerted when the fire broke out. Officials said there appeared to have been no attempt to escape, as the bodies were found inside the rooms.
Those who did try to flee reportedly faced several obstacles. Portions of the corridor was encroached upon to set up reception areas, narrowing the escape route further. The staircase and entry and exit points were also narrow, said an officer, pointing out that exposed electrical wiring added to the hazards on the floor.
A preliminary investigation by civic officials found major violations of KMC building rules. A KMC official said the building, located less than 1km from the civic headquarters, was still recorded as a residential property. Multiple internal changes were allegedly carried out without alerting the buildings department. “Several building rules violations are seen on the second floor, where the fire broke out. Multiple rooms were added and rented out as guesthouses. In the process, not only the building rules but also fire safety rules were flouted. We will take action against the owner,” said a KMC buildings department official.
Police said the other units on the second floor would also be investigated for possible violations. “Several years ago, it was a purely residential building. Gradually people moved out and sold their portions to traders, who changed the nature of the place. The second floor was one of them,” said the office bearer of a traders’ association.