The death toll in the devastating fire at Nazirabad near south Kolkata's Anandapur has risen to over 10, with the charred bodies recovered in such a badly burnt condition that identification has not yet been possible. Rescue and firefighting operations continued on Monday as thick smoke and pockets of fire remained inside the warehouse.
State Minister Arup Biswas and Trinamool Congress MP from Jadavpur, Sayani Ghosh, visited the site to assess the situation. BJP MLA Ashok Dinda also arrived at the spot.
Dinda said he had learned that several workers of a decorating firm were living in temporary shelters inside the warehouse. According to him, four workers managed to escape just before the fire spread, but many others may have been trapped inside as the main gate was reportedly locked at midnight.
After inspecting the site, Minister Biswas held discussions with fire service officials. He said that although the fire had been brought largely under control, some pockets were still burning.
“Smoke is still coming out from inside the warehouse. Firefighters are working tirelessly to bring the fire under complete control. Many firefighters are falling ill due to the thick smoke,” Biswas said, adding that once the fire is fully extinguished, teams will enter the warehouse to search for any missing workers who may still be trapped.
In connection with the devastating fire at the warehouse, police have detained the owner, Gangadhar Das, for interrogation. Das was picked up from his residence in East Midnapore by Narendrapur police and is being brought to the district police headquarters in Baruipur. A senior police officer said that after questioning, Das may be formally arrested and produced before a court on Wednesday.
Multiple allegations of negligence have surfaced against the warehouse owner. Despite a large number of workers being employed at the facility, the warehouse reportedly lacked basic fire safety measures, including fire extinguishers. Police sources also said there was no proper emergency exit route inside the premises. Fire brigade personnel took more than 12 hours to douse the massive blaze, which was first spotted in the early hours of Monday. As firefighters entered the charred sections of the warehouse after bringing the fire under control, they found bones mixed with ashes, raising fears that many of the 17 workers reported missing may have lost their lives in the incident.
Anxious relatives of the deceased and missing gathered at the site, seeking updates from the fire service and police officials. Tanmoy Giri, a resident of Tamluk in Purba Medinipur, said his uncle used to live in small rooms inside the warehouse and worked for a decorating firm.
“He called me last around 1 am on Monday. Now his phone is switched off,” he said.
Another young man said his father had gone to work the night shift at the momo manufacturing unit and had not been in contact since the fire broke out.
Authorities said that all the deceased or missing individuals are residents of Purba Medinipur, Paschim Medinipur, and South 24 Parganas districts.
The horrific fire, which broke out on the eve of Republic Day, started at a thermocol warehouse in the Nazirabad area under Narendrapur police station at around 3 am on Monday. The blaze was brought under partial control after nearly seven hours of intense firefighting. Initially, 12 fire engines were deployed, and later the number was increased to 16.
At first, warehouse employees claimed that three workers were on night duty when the fire broke out, and later reports confirmed their deaths. Over time, it emerged that around 20 workers were missing, and missing person reports were filed. Subsequently, authorities confirmed that 16 workers are still unaccounted for, and a large-scale search operation is underway.
Minister Biswas said a forensic team would visit the site to begin an investigation.
“We will examine whether the fire safety system inside the warehouse was functioning properly,” he said.
Following the incident, Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari accused the TMC government of insensitivity and lack of coordination in handling the disaster.
“Ministers and senior government and police officials are enjoying their Republic Day holiday and have no concern for the poor. The sooner this government goes, the better,” he said.
Responding to the criticism, Biswas said, “This is not the time to politicise a human tragedy.”
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