New Delhi: The death toll in the devastating fire at a warehouse and manufacturing facility in Kolkata’s Anandapur area has risen to 25, even as the tragedy has escalated into a sharp political confrontation. Police have arrested two additional individuals in connection with the incident, taking the total number of arrests to three as investigations continue.
After the earlier arrest of the godown owner, two officials linked to the momo manufacturing unit have now been taken into custody. The arrested individuals include the unit’s manager and deputy manager, who are expected to be produced before the Baruipur Sub Divisional Court on Friday. Authorities say the arrests are part of an expanding probe into alleged safety violations and operational lapses at the premises.
The fire, which broke out late on January 26, gutted two godowns and an adjoining food manufacturing unit, leaving behind extensive destruction and charred remains. Firefighters have since brought the blaze under control, and civic authorities have begun clearing debris using specialised equipment. Search operations are ongoing to rule out the possibility of additional victims trapped inside the structures.
As several bodies were found partially burnt or skeletal, DNA testing is being carried out to establish identities. Police have received multiple missing person reports, largely from neighbouring districts, adding urgency to the identification process.
Preliminary findings from forensic teams suggest that the fire originated on the third floor of the decorator’s godown before spreading rapidly to nearby sections, including the momo unit. This assessment contradicts earlier claims by the godown owner regarding the point of origin. Investigators are also examining whether careless handling of combustible materials or smoking may have triggered the blaze. It has emerged that a gathering was held at the premises the night before the fire, with several workers reportedly sleeping inside at the time of the incident.
The tragedy has ignited a fierce political row. Opposition leaders have described the incident as a man made disaster, alleging widespread illegal operations, lack of fire safety clearances, and regulatory failure. They have accused the state government of shielding influential figures while acting only against lower level staff, and have demanded a high level independent investigation.
The ruling party, however, has rejected these allegations, countering that the issue is being politicised. Meanwhile, the Calcutta High Court has allowed an opposition rally on the matter, underscoring the growing public and political scrutiny surrounding one of the city’s deadliest industrial fires in recent years.
