Child among nine dead in Indian hotel fire reportedly sparked by air con unit

A child is among nine people who have tragically passed away in a hotel blaze which reportedly started from a malfunctioning air conditioning unit.

Fire crews in the indian city of Kolkata were called to the blaze at the Shikha Inn Hotel, on 15H Mirza Ghalib Street, at around 2am on Wednesday morning (August 19). Firefighters from four fire engines were able to save around 60 people from the surrounding buildings unhurt.

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However, nine people have tragically died in the incident, according to police commissioners speaking to the Hindustan Times .

“In all nine persons have died. The dead includes six males, two females and a child. No one has been injured. We are yet to ascertain the identities,” Praween Prakash, deputy commissioner of police (central division) in Kolkata, said.

Four fire engines were sent to deal with the inferno, an officer for the fire brigade confirmed. They added: “It was a five-storey building at 15H Mirza Ghalib Street. We rescued more than 60 persons. They were unscathed.

“At least nine people were found in an unconscious state. They were rushed to the hospital.”

Reports suggest the nine people were pronounced dead at hospital. All of the deceased are Bangladeshi, according to the Lokmat Times, which also reported the fire started from an air conditioning unit.

An exact cause for the fire has not yet been confirmed.