Kolkata, Aug. 17 -- Locked emergency exits on every floor, an absent staff member with the keys to the locked doors, and an allegedly defunct fire-fighting system were the primary reasons nine people were killed in the fire that broke out at a hotel in West Bengal's pilgrimage town, Tarapith, early on Monday, officials said.

Police and fire brigade officials found the victims' bodies on staircases and in the corridors.

"Those who went out into the corridors and tried to escape through the staircase got trapped. Most of the dead bodies were found on the first floor. Those who locked themselves in their rooms and went to the balconies were rescued later with ladders," said a police officer.

Officials said there were emergency exits on ea...