Thirty-two hours after the fire broke out in twin warehouses in Anandapur, east Kolkata, pocket fires are still burning. The death toll has reached eight, with numerous individuals still unaccounted for. The Fire Department’s Director General disclosed that the warehouses lacked proper fire safety measures and were not authorized by the fire department.
State Fire Minister Sujit Bose visited the site on Tuesday morning, facing protests from BJP workers for the delayed response. The fire originated at a momo company’s warehouse in Nazirabad, spreading to adjacent warehouses despite efforts by 12 fire engines.
On Tuesday, black smoke and pocket fires were observed in the charred warehouses, making identification of the eight deceased individuals impossible due to severe burns. Investigations are ongoing to locate any potential trapped individuals. Action will be taken against the factory authorities if found responsible, as stated by police sources.
Director General of the Fire Department, Ranveer Kumar, visited the site on Tuesday morning, revealing the lack of fire safety clearance for the warehouses. Minister Sujit Bose inspected the gutted warehouses, emphasizing the absence of adequate fire safety measures and promising legal action. BJP MLA Ashok Dinda also visited the scene, leading to a confrontation between BJP and Trinamool supporters.
Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari criticized the state government for negligence, incompetence, and governance failure, attributing the incident to unchecked industrial operations. Adhikari demanded a high-level inquiry, punishment for the guilty, and compensation for affected families.
