Tarapith, Birbhum: Eight people died after a fire broke out in a four-storey hotel in the temple town of Tarapith early on Monday, officials said, and police detained one person on charges related to alleged lapses in maintaining the establishment's fire-fighting system.
Early-morning blaze traps devotees
The fire erupted at around 4.30 am on the ground floor of the hotel when most guests were asleep, officials said. Of the 43 people present in the building at the time, eight succumbed to the incident. One person was undergoing treatment at Rampurhat Government Medical College and Hospital while 34 others were discharged after preliminary medical checks, they added.
Tarapith is a prominent pilgrimage centre in Birbhum district, known for the 13th-century temple where Goddess Tara is worshipped. Many of those staying at the hotel were devotees who had come to offer prayers on the last Monday of the holy month of Shravan, officials said.
Rescue and medical response
Local fire services were rushed to the scene and brought the blaze under control. Several guests were trapped on the upper floors as thick smoke spread through the building, rescuers said. The injured included people with burn injuries and those who had inhaled smoke and were suffering from asphyxiation.
- Time of fire: around 4.30 am
- People present: 43
- Deaths: 8
- Hospitalised: 1 (under treatment); 34 discharged after checks
Cause under investigation; short circuit claimed
Hotel officials told authorities that the blaze began near the reception and was caused by a short circuit in an electrical component of the power supply system. However, officials cautioned that the exact cause is yet to be established and an investigation is underway.
“The fire started near the reception after an electrical component of the power supply system caught fire,” hotel officials said.
Investigating teams and fire safety experts are expected to examine electrical installations and examine how decorative and fibre materials in the hotel contributed to the rapid spread of flames and smoke to upper storeys.
Detention and administrative response
Police detained one person in connection with alleged lapses in maintaining the hotel's fire-fighting arrangements, officials reported. The detention follows preliminary findings that fire-safety equipment and maintenance records require scrutiny.
In response to the tragedy, the Birbhum district administration has ordered a special audit of electrical installations and fire-fighting arrangements across hotels, lodges and other accommodation facilities in Tarapith. The review is being carried out ahead of the Kaushiki Amavasya festival, which is expected to draw large numbers of pilgrims to the town.
Safety measures and public concern
Authorities emphasised the need for immediate compliance checks at establishments catering to pilgrims and visitors, including guest houses and homestays. The administration said ensuring safe electric wiring, functioning fire-fighting equipment, accessible emergency exits and staff training in evacuation procedures were critical to prevent further tragedies.
| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| People present | 43 |
| Fatalities | 8 |
| Under treatment | 1 |
| Discharged | 34 |
The incident has reignited concerns in Birbhum and neighbouring districts about preparedness at religious tourism hubs, where temporary surges in visitors can strain infrastructure and expose safety gaps. Local administrations in West Bengal routinely issue advisories before festivals, but enforcement and compliance remain a challenge in many small hotels and lodges.
Police and fire officials said further details, including a definitive cause of the fire and the nature of any legal action against the detained individual, will be released as the investigation progresses.
This report is based on information from PTI and official statements released by Birbhum district authorities and rescue agencies.
