A devastating fire at a warehouse in the Anandapur area of Kolkata has claimed at least 16 lives, with authorities confirming that charred bodies have been recovered from the site even as the search continues for at least 13 people who remain missing. The scale of the tragedy has triggered an extensive emergency and administrative response, with rescue, forensic, and police teams working simultaneously to assess the damage, identify victims, and trace those unaccounted for.
The blaze broke out in the early hours of Monday and spread with alarming speed through the godown. Police officials from the Baruipur police district in South 24 Parganas said the intensity of the fire was such that charred bone fragments are still visible inside the structure, highlighting the extreme heat and destruction caused. The rapid spread of the flames has been attributed to the nature and volume of materials stored inside the building.
Local residents said the warehouse was primarily used to store dry food items. The fire reportedly began around 3 am and quickly engulfed the premises due to the presence of highly combustible goods such as packaged dry food products and cold drink bottles. These materials are believed to have significantly accelerated the spread of the fire, leaving little time for those inside to escape.
Several political leaders and officials visited the site following the incident, including Minister Aroop Biswas, MP Sainy Ghosh, and Sujit Bose. Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim also inspected the location, stating that he had arrived on the directions of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. He described the incident as extremely tragic, noting that many lives had been lost and that the fire was unusually severe. He added that both the fire department and police were investigating the cause and origin of the blaze.
Hakim further said that forensic teams had begun examining the recovered bodies to establish their identities. Given the condition of the remains, identification has proven difficult, prompting authorities to rely on missing persons’ reports filed by families. DNA testing using blood samples from relatives is being prepared, with the process expected to begin after receiving the necessary court approval.
The West Bengal government has announced financial assistance of ₹10 lakh for each affected family. Confirming the decision, the mayor said compensation would be released once the identities of the deceased are officially established through DNA verification. The Chief Minister has also assured families of additional support after death certificates are issued, including the possibility of employment for next of kin, while stressing that strict legal action will be taken against those responsible.
In connection with the incident, police arrested Gangadhar Das, the owner of the warehouse and an associated momo manufacturing unit, on Tuesday evening from the Garia area of Kolkata. Officials said he had been evading arrest since the fire and would be produced before the Baruipur court. An FIR had already been registered, and investigators said all angles of the case were being examined.
Preliminary inquiries revealed that Das, a resident of Purba Chhara under the Khejuri police station in Purba Medinipur district, had been involved in the decoration business for over four decades. His residence in Khejuri has reportedly remained locked since the incident, adding to the focus on his movements and activities prior to the fire.
Fire department officials acknowledged serious lapses in compliance, confirming that the warehouse did not have mandatory fire safety clearance. A senior Fire and Emergency Services official said no such approval had been issued for the unit, raising serious questions about regulatory oversight and enforcement in similar commercial facilities.
The warehouse, spread across nearly four bighas of land, reportedly employed between 150 and 200 workers and stored large quantities of inflammable materials, including plastic flowers, wood, fabric, and furniture. Officials said the presence of these combustible items likely caused the flames to spread rapidly and made firefighting efforts more challenging.
Administrative teams have since visited the homes of missing workers to reassure families about ongoing rescue and identification efforts. Missing persons’ complaints have been formally registered, and DNA testing will be used to confirm identities before death certificates are issued through the panchayat office. Compensation cheques will be handed over to families once the official process is complete, even as forensic examinations and searches for the remaining missing individuals continue.
