Nine Bangladeshi nationals died in a fire inside a hotel on Mirza Galib Street in central Kolkata, and six others were injured, a top Kolkata Police official said.

The fire started around 2 a.m. on Wednesday (August 19, 2026). The nine casualties were due to suffocation from the smoke. At least 15 others were rescued from the hotel.

Five fire tenders were pressed into service to douse the blaze. Police and Disaster Management Department personnel reached the spot for the rescue operation.

The injured have been taken to a nearby hospital.

"The dense smoke made it difficult for firefighters to climb the staircase and reach the upper floors. While nine people have died, more deaths are feared," a police officer told PTI.

"Our priority is to rescue those trapped and determine the reasons for the fire. The flames have been doused, and the cooling process is underway," he added.

West Bengal Fire Department headquarters is located close to the hotel building.

(With inputs from PTI)

Published - August 19, 2026 08:35 am IST