“Tragic Fire Claims Six Lives at Hotel Near Patna Junction Railway Station”

In Short

• Massive fire in hotel near Patna junction railway station
• Six killed in fire, more than 20 people rescued
• Prima facie, it appears cylinder blast is the cause of fire

A devastating fire erupted at a hotel near the Patna junction railway station on Thursday, resulting in the loss of at least six lives, as confirmed by a senior official.

Amidst the chaos, over 20 individuals were successfully rescued by emergency response teams.

Shobha Ohatkar, the Director General of Home Guard and Fire Services, who promptly arrived at the scene, addressed reporters, shedding light on the incident.

She disclosed that her department had conducted a comprehensive fire audit of more than 16,000 hotels, with ongoing assessments still underway.

During these audits, hotels are provided with specific safety instructions, however, compliance varies among establishments.

Ohatkar attributed the tragedy to negligence, emphasizing that while some hotels adhere to safety protocols, others fail to do so.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire originated from a cylinder blast.

Efforts to contain the blaze were swiftly mobilized upon receiving information around 11 am, and authorities managed to bring the situation under control.

However, the exact cause of the fire will be determined through a thorough investigation, ensuring that appropriate measures are taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.