The fire was reported at 04:00 AST (01:00 GMT) on the ground floor of a six-storey residential building housing 196 all-male migrant workers of NBTC Group, which also leased the site.

[3][4] Flames engulfed the lower part of the building and thick black smoke billowed from the upper floors.

[13] All victims were male migrant workers, the majority from India, who were all employed for the NBTC Group.

[5] Kuwait is highly dependent on migrant labour, but their poor living conditions have been noted by human rights groups.

[29][30] A senior police officer told state TV that warnings were often issued about overcrowding in this type of accommodation.

[31][32] Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the disaster "saddening" and expressed condolences to the victims and their relatives.

[37] The foreign ministries of the United Arab Emirates and Iran also expressed solidarity with Kuwait.

[40] On 18 June, the Kuwait government announced $15,000 (about 4,600 Kuwaiti dinars or ₹1,250,000) compensation to the families of the victims of the fire.

[41] NBTC group announced aid of 8 lakh rupees to the families of the victims of fire and assured ongoing support to them.