The death toll from the fire at warehouses in Anandapur, Kolkata, has climbed to 16, with several individuals still missing. Gangadhar Das, the owner of the burnt decorator’s warehouse, has been apprehended on charges of negligence. The adjacent Momo company’s warehouse, also engulfed in the fire, saw similar allegations against its owners, though no arrests have been made there yet.
The fire, which ignited around 3 a.m. on Monday, blazed until Tuesday afternoon, leaving body parts scattered within the charred premises. Identification of the deceased has proven challenging due to the extensive damage. DNA testing is planned for confirmation post a court order. A senior officer from Baruipur Police District mentioned that while 16 deaths are confirmed, the identities and residences of the victims remain unknown, with 20 people officially reported as missing.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the fire’s origin and spread. Cases of negligence leading to death have been registered, resulting in Gangadhar’s arrest. He alleges the Momo factory’s negligence as the cause, refuting personal responsibility. Concerns have surfaced regarding the fire safety protocols at the warehouses in question, especially since the Fire Department had not granted safety clearances.
Ranveer Kumar, the Director General of the Fire Department, highlighted the absence of fire safety approvals for the warehouses, prompting inquiries into operational compliance. Questions have arisen about the Kolkata Municipal Corporation’s lack of action in overseeing these warehouses. Financial aid of Rs 10 lakh per family has been pledged by Firhad Hakim, the Kolkata Mayor, to assist the affected families, pending identification of the deceased.
