The family of 38-year-old Ahmed Babu, a cosmetics businessman from Savar, has been plunged into grief following his death in a hotel fire in Kolkata, where he was among five Bangladeshis killed. In total nine people perished in the blaze. 

Babu was a resident of Begun Bari near Amin Bazar Bus Stand in Savar.

He had travelled to Kolkata on Sunday for a five-day visit and was scheduled to return to Bangladesh on Friday night.

Before leaving, Babu told his mother, Sabera Begum, and his wife, Bubli Akter, that he would return home after five days.

He embraced his mother and asked for her prayers. She prayed for his safe return, unaware that it would be the last time she would see her son.

Family members last spoke to Babu around midnight on Tuesday.

He spoke with his elder brothers Mohammad Ali and Monir Hossain, as well as his wife, children and mother.

He told them about his trip and mentioned the things he had bought for his children and mother.

Around 2am, a fire broke out at a residential hotel on Mirza Ghalib Street near New Market in Kolkata, according to the family.

Babu and eight others died in the incident.

As the hotel was located close to a fire service station, the blaze was brought under control within about an hour.

However, nine people, including the five Bangladeshis - Babu and four of a family from Kushtia - had already lost their lives.

News of Babu's death reached his family home at around 3pm on Wednesday. Since then, relatives and neighbours have gathered at the house, where an atmosphere of stunned silence prevails.

Babu's 80-year-old mother repeatedly pleaded with the authorities to bring her son's body back to Bangladesh.

Overcome with grief, she broke down while speaking about her youngest son.

His wife, Bubli, was also inconsolable and reportedly fainted several times after learning of her husband's death.

Their five-year-old son, Soad, appeared unaware of the tragedy and continued moving from one room to another.

Babu was the youngest of four brothers. He studied up to SSC at Amin Bazar Mofid-e-Am High School before entering the cosmetics business. He ran a shop called Cute Cosmetics at Shaheen Super Market near Amin Bazar bus stand.

Babu was also a passionate football fan and a devoted supporter of Argentina.

His elder brother Mohammad Ali said Babu was deeply loved by everyone in the family.

"He was the youngest and very dear to all of us. We always tried to fulfil his wishes," he said, adding that their father had died several years ago.

Babu is survived by his wife and two children. His 12-year-old daughter Roza is a fifth-grade student at Mirpur Cantonment Public School, while Soad is five years old. The family had planned to enrol him in school next year.

"We never imagined that he would die in a fire like this at such an unexpected time," Mohammad Ali said.