At least nine people, including a four-year-old child, were killed after a fire broke out at a five-storey building on Mirza Galib Street in central Kolkata early Wednesday, police said. Several people were also injured in the incident.

The fire broke out at around 1:45 am at the building, which houses several hotels. Six people were reported injured, while rescue teams evacuated dozens of occupants from the premises.

According to officials, the deceased included Indian and Bangladeshi nationals. Authorities were working to establish the identities of all those who died in the blaze.

Fire Breaks Out at Hotel

The blaze was reported in the early hours at the building located in the Free School Street area of central Kolkata. The presence of multiple hotels inside the building made the rescue operation more challenging.

Five fire tenders were deployed to bring the fire under control. Police personnel and teams from the Disaster Management Department also reached the site and began rescue operations.

A senior official said authorities had rescued around 80 people from the building.

Nine People Killed

Police said at least nine people died in the fire, including a four-year-old child.

The authorities were continuing efforts to identify the victims and establish details about those who were inside the building when the fire started.

Fire Department Minister Kaushik Chowdhury visited the site following the incident and took stock of the rescue and firefighting operations.

Bangladeshi Nationals Among Victims

Officials said the victims included both Indian and Bangladeshi nationals.

The process of establishing the identities of those killed was underway. Authorities were also working to determine how many people were staying in the various hotels operating from the building.

The incident has raised concerns over the safety arrangements in the multi-storey premises.

Short Circuit Suspected

Officials suspect that a short circuit may have triggered the fire, although the exact cause has not yet been established.

Chowdhury said a forensic examination would be carried out to determine what led to the blaze.

Authorities are expected to examine the electrical installations and other safety arrangements in the building as part of the investigation.

Safety Norms Under Scanner

The Fire Department minister also alleged that the building management had failed to comply with basic safety and construction norms.

The allegation is likely to form part of the broader investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire.

Officials will also examine whether the hotels operating inside the building had adequate fire-safety measures and whether emergency exits and other safety provisions were in place.

Rescue Operations Continue

Firefighters, police and disaster management personnel worked together to evacuate people from the building and prevent the fire from spreading further.

The injured were taken to hospitals for treatment, while authorities continued to assess the condition of the building.

The immediate priority remains identifying the deceased, treating those injured and determining the exact circumstances that led to the deadly fire.

A forensic investigation is expected to establish the cause of the blaze and determine whether violations of fire-safety or construction regulations contributed to the deaths.