PATNA, India (AP) — A major fire that engulfed a restaurant and hotel in eastern India on Thursday killed at least six people and injured 20, a local fire officer said.
The fire began when a cooking gas cylinder exploded while diners were eating in the restaurant, and it soon spread into an adjacent hotel in Patna, the capital of Bihar state, said Satya Prakash, the officer.
At least 40 people were rescued from the two buildings by firefighters who doused the blaze using more than a dozen fire engines, Prakash said.
The hotel is in a congested area next to Patna’s railroad station. Several vehicles parked at the hotel were gutted, Prakash said.
He said some guests in the hotel jumped from their room windows and were injured. Other details were not immediately available.
Fires are common in India, where builders and residents often flout building laws and safety codes.
In 2019, a fire caused by an electrical short circuit engulfed a building in the Indian capital and killed 43 people. In 2022, a fire in a four-story commercial building in New Delhi killed at least 27.
An inquiry into a building fire in South Africa that killed 76 finds city authorities responsible
Auckland Airport expects the population of a city during school holidays
Airports Association says lack of government action to boost competition leading to high fares
Los Angeles hotel famous for Pretty Woman goes Back To The Future
Labour's Rachel Boyack confirms 26
The tall man in a van taking the plunge around Aotearoa
US says China helping Moscow in biggest defence expansion since Soviet era
With college football drama behind him, Devontez Walker eager to show his talent with Baltimore
Person in critical condition after two
John Swinney expected to lead Scotland after being confirmed as Scottish National Party leader
The Week in Politics: Coalition negotiations could be near the endgame