1st LD Writethru: 6 die in hotel fire in western India

At least six people have been killed and several others injured in a major fire that broke out at a prominent hotel in the western Indian state of Maharashtra Wednesday, a senior police official said.

"The fire broke out at the Bindal Palaza hotel in the state's Gondia district, which was almost fully occupied as members of a marriage party were staying there. Six bodies have been brought out of the hotel by rescuers," he said, on condition of anonymity.

The death toll may go up later in the day as several people are feared trapped inside the hotel, the official said.

"Some 15 fire tenders have been pressed into service to douse the flames and evacuation of those trapped are underway. Those who sustained injuries in the fire have been rushed to nearby hospitals, where the condition of some are said to be serious," the official said.

Local TV channels reported that the hotel is located in a congested area that made it difficult for fire engines to reach the spot soon after the incident. Quoting eyewitnesses, the reports said that locals were the first to rush to the rescue of those trapped.

Though a short-circuit is said to be reason behind the fire, a high-level probe has been ordered to ascertain the exact cause of the inferno, he added. Enditem