Fourteen die after fire breaks out in central Kolkata hotel

Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma told media: "A fire broke out at Ritu Raj Hotel in Mechuapatti on Tuesday. Several people have been rescued from the hotel."

He said the fire has been brought under control.

According to reports, a Special Investigation Team has been formed to ascertain the cause of the fire.

Ten fire engines were rushed to the spot after the fire broke out.

The hotel is located in central Kolkata, where many shops and houses are present.

Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim visited the spot on Tuesday night.

Union Minister and West Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumdar questioned the 'silence' of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the loss of lives in the fire tragedy.

Majumdar said: "Yesterday, a devastating fire broke out at a hotel in the Mechhua area of Burrabazar, claiming the tragic lives of more than 14 innocent people! The number of injured is even higher. Many are still battling for their lives. Yet, serious questions are being raised about the silence of the state's administrative head in the face of such a heartbreaking and tragic loss of lives in the state."

"Today, the Chief Minister is busy with a day-long inauguration programme of Jagannath Dham in Digha. Meanwhile, the death toll from this horrific fire in Kolkata continues to rise," he said.

He said: "This clearly reveals the insensitivity and failure of the Chief Minister @MamataOfficial ! While the innocent and helpless people are burning and dying in unbearable pain, the Chief Minister is busy exploiting religion for political gain. Year-round appeasement and election-time religious posturing — this, once again, is the clear priority of Mamata Banerjee."