Kolkata Warehouse Fire Tragedy: Death Toll Rises to 19 as Owner Faces Negligence Charges
The devastating fire that engulfed twin warehouses in Kolkata's Anandapur area has now claimed 19 lives, with several individuals still reported missing. In a significant development, the police have arrested the owner of the warehouses, Gangadhar Das, on charges of causing death due to negligence.
Arrest and Denial of Responsibility
The Narendrapur police apprehended Gangadhar Das from the Garia area on Tuesday night. He is scheduled for a medical examination on Wednesday before being presented at the Baruipur Sub-divisional Court. Despite the serious allegations, Das has vehemently denied any negligence on his part. Describing himself as a victim of the tragic incident, he expressed deep sorrow over losing everything in his long-standing business. Das claimed to the police that the fire originated due to negligence at a nearby manufacturing plant, shifting blame away from his own premises.
Uncertain Origins and Ongoing Investigation
However, no official source has confirmed the exact starting point of the blaze. The precise cause of the fire remains unknown, with authorities launching a comprehensive investigation to determine the factors that led to this catastrophic event. The massive fire broke out around 3 am on January 25 at the twin warehouses located in Nazirabad, within East Kolkata's Anandapur area. The flames continued to smolder through Monday and into Tuesday afternoon, leaving behind a scene of utter devastation.
Grim Recovery Efforts and Identification Challenges
Scattered body parts were discovered across the charred remains of the buildings, painting a harrowing picture of the tragedy. It remains unclear exactly how many people were inside the warehouses at the time of the incident. While 20 individuals are officially listed as missing, the police have yet to identify the recovered bodies. Authorities have announced plans to seek court permission for DNA testing to properly identify the deceased, a process that may take considerable time given the condition of the remains.
Fire Safety Lapses and Regulatory Failures
Serious questions have emerged regarding the fire safety measures at the gutted warehouses. During an inspection conducted on Tuesday, Ranveer Kumar, Director General of Fire Services, revealed a shocking detail: the warehouses did not possess any fire safety clearance. When questioned about how the facility had operated for such an extended period without proper approval, Kumar acknowledged there might have been lapses within the department itself and promised an internal probe to address these regulatory failures.
Municipal Corporation Under Scrutiny
The role of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has also come under intense scrutiny in the aftermath of the tragedy. Responding to queries about why no action was taken earlier against the warehouses, Kolkata Mayor and Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim offered a controversial defense. "It is not right to shut down someone's livelihood. If we did, you would be the ones raising questions," Hakim stated. While several quarters allege that the warehouses were constructed by illegally filling wetlands, Hakim claimed he was unaware if the structures stood on wetland areas, though he asserted that the administration would no longer permit such encroachments moving forward.
Legal Proceedings and Community Impact
Based on a formal complaint from the fire department, the Narendrapur police registered a case of death due to negligence. Additionally, the police initiated a suo motu case under the same charge, demonstrating the seriousness with which authorities are treating this incident. The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the local community, raising broader concerns about industrial safety standards and regulatory enforcement in urban areas. As families mourn their loved ones and await identification of the victims, the investigation continues to unfold, with potential implications for business owners, regulatory bodies, and municipal authorities across the region.
