A devastating fire that tore through two adjoining warehouses and a momo manufacturing unit in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district has claimed at least 21 lives, while 28 people remain missing, raising fears that the death toll could rise further. The blaze, which broke out in the early hours of January 26, has triggered a sweeping investigation, exposed serious safety lapses, and sparked political outrage across the state.

The fire occurred in Anandapur, a marshy and relatively remote area on the southern outskirts of Kolkata, close to the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass. What began as a fire at a decorator’s warehouse rapidly spread to a neighbouring godown operated by popular quick-service restaurant chain Wow! Momo, reducing large sections of the industrial complex to ashes.

Fire Breaks Out Before Dawn, Workers Trapped Inside

According to officials, the fire erupted at around 3 am, a time when many workers were asleep inside the warehouses. Police said that several of those inside were unable to escape in time, leading to multiple fatalities. Thick smoke, intense heat, and blocked exits reportedly turned the warehouses into death traps within minutes.

Families of several workers later filed missing person reports, fearing that their relatives were still trapped beneath the debris of the collapsed structures. Rescue and search operations have continued amid the charred remains to rule out the possibility of more victims.

As of Thursday afternoon, authorities confirmed that 16 DNA samples from relatives of missing persons had been collected and would be sent for DNA mapping, a crucial step in identifying bodies or body parts recovered from the site.

Death Toll at 21, 28 Still Unaccounted For

Officials have confirmed 21 deaths so far, while 28 people are still missing, making this one of the deadliest industrial fire incidents in recent years in the Kolkata region. Given the scale of destruction and the number of unaccounted workers, authorities have cautioned that the death toll may increase.

Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim said the state government would seek court permission to conduct DNA tests and that compensation would be disbursed only after proper identification of the victims.

Initial Hunt for Warehouse Owner, Arrest Follows

In the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, police registered an FIR against Gangadhar Das, the owner of the gutted Pushpanjali Decorators warehouse, from where the fire is believed to have originated. At that time, Das was absconding, his mobile phone switched off, prompting police to launch raids at multiple locations.

“An FIR has been registered against the owner. He has not been traceable since the incident, and his mobile phone remains switched off. Raids are being conducted, and all possible locations are being verified,” a senior police officer said earlier.

However, police later confirmed that Gangadhar Das was arrested from the Garia area on Tuesday night. He underwent a medical examination on Wednesday and was produced before a sub-divisional court. On Thursday, the court remanded him to police custody until February 4 on charges of causing death by negligence.

Police sources said that four workers from the decorator’s company survived the blaze and may be brought back to the site, if required, to help investigators reconstruct the sequence of events.

How Did the Fire Start?

According to statements issued by Wow! Momo and information gathered by investigators, the fire originated at the decorator’s warehouse, allegedly due to unauthorised cooking activities. The flames then spread rapidly to the adjacent momo godown, leading to a complete burnout of the facility.

In its statement, Wow! Momo said:

“This fire engulfed not only our men, but our spirit too.”

Fire department officials are still examining the premises to determine the exact cause of the blaze, including whether flammable materials and illegal activities accelerated its spread.

Serious Fire Safety Lapses Exposed

The tragedy has also thrown a harsh spotlight on regulatory failures and fire safety violations. Senior fire services officials confirmed that the warehouse and godown complex did not have mandatory fire safety clearance.

“There was no fire safety clearance issued for this unit,” a senior fire services official said in the presence of Fire and Emergency Services Minister Sujit Bose, as quoted by PTI.

Investigators also found that the complex lacked permission from the fire department altogether. Stacks of materials were reportedly piled up near the main entrance of the godown, potentially blocking exit routes and hampering evacuation efforts.

One of the key questions investigators are now examining is why those trapped inside could not escape. Police are probing whether doors were locked from the outside and whether escape passages were obstructed.

Wow! Momo’s Role and Conflicting Statements

Wow! Momo has acknowledged fatalities among its staff but has issued slightly differing accounts regarding the number of employees lost.

In an initial statement, the company said three of its workers had died. In a later, more detailed clarification issued on Wednesday, it stated that two employees and one contracted security guard were killed in the fire.

Police sources confirmed that Wow! Momo had rented the godown from Gangadhar Das and that investigators are examining whether the company adhered to fire safety norms.

According to the ground investigation, Wow! Momo operated a 12,000-square-foot warehouse at the site. The facility was used to store packaging materials, beverages, and essential supplies, most of which were destroyed in the blaze.

Company Announces ₹10 Lakh Compensation and Lifetime Salary

In response to the tragedy, Wow! Momo announced a comprehensive compensation package for the families of the deceased employees.

“As part of its commitment, the company announced a lump-sum compensation of ₹10 lakh to each affected family, lifetime monthly salary support for the bereaved families, and education support for the children of the deceased,” the company said in its statement.

The company also expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives, describing the fire as a tragedy that went beyond material damage.

West Bengal Government Announces Ex Gratia

The West Bengal government has also announced an ex gratia payment of ₹10 lakh for the families of each victim. Minister Firhad Hakim said the compensation would be handed over once identification procedures were completed.

He added that the government would seek legal permission to expedite DNA testing to ensure families receive closure and support at the earliest.

Search Operations Continue in Marshy Area

The warehouses were located in the Nazirabad area, a marshy stretch near Anandapur that was once a major water body for Kolkata. According to local residents, the area has been illegally filled up over the years, raising concerns about unsafe construction practices and lack of oversight.

Search teams, along with fire department officials, continue to comb through the charred ruins to ensure no one remains trapped inside the collapsed structure.

Political Fallout and Public Anger

The incident has also sparked sharp political reactions. On Thursday, Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari staged a protest at the site, accusing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of being responsible for the tragedy and alleging systemic failure in enforcing safety norms.

Families of the victims have voiced deep anguish and anger, pointing to what they describe as glaring safety lapses and demanding accountability from both the warehouse owners and authorities.

As investigations continue, the tragedy has once again raised urgent questions about industrial safety, regulatory enforcement, and accountability in West Bengal’s rapidly expanding urban fringes.

With dozens of families still waiting for answers, the Anandapur fire stands as a grim reminder of the human cost of negligence—and the pressing need for reform before more lives are lost.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

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