At least nine people died early Wednesday morning following a fire at a budget hotel located in the Indian city of Kolkata. According to Anuj Sharma, the fire services director for West Bengal state, the victims included at least one child. Emergency responders, including five fire engines, were dispatched to the scene to contain the blaze and conduct rescue operations.

Initial reports from officials suggest that an explosion involving an air-conditioning unit may have triggered the fire. The intensity of the blaze created thick smoke, which reportedly trapped several guests inside the building. Fire officials noted that some of the victims were discovered in the hotel bathrooms, suggesting they may have been attempting to escape the smoke or seek shelter from the flames. Local police and disaster management teams assisted in the response, though the full extent of the injuries remains under assessment as the investigation into the exact cause of the fire continues.