Overview

• A fire at Kolkata's Rituraj Hotel claimed 14 lives, with investigations revealing severe fire safety violations, including blocked exits and non-functional sprinklers.
• The hotel owner, manager, and contractor have been arrested for negligence and violations of safety regulations.
• Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has ordered a 15-day citywide inspection of commercial buildings to identify and address fire safety risks.
• The Kolkata Municipal Corporation has banned rooftop restaurants across the city, citing their illegality under building rules and safety concerns.
• A related factory fire in Salt Lake further underscores the urgency of enforcing fire safety measures in Kolkata's aging and densely packed urban infrastructure.