Prime Minister Modi Announces Financial Assistance for Kolkata Warehouse Fire Victims
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow on Friday over the tragic fire incident at two warehouses in Kolkata's Anandapur area, announcing substantial ex-gratia assistance for the victims from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund.
Official Statement and Compensation Details
In an official statement released by the Prime Minister's Office, Modi described the fire mishap as "very tragic and saddening" and extended his heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. The Prime Minister prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the devastating incident.
The financial assistance announced includes:
- Rs. 2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased person
- Rs. 50,000 for each injured individual
Scale of the Tragedy and Rescue Operations
The fire, which broke out in the early hours of Monday, has claimed at least 11 lives with approximately 23 people still missing, raising concerns that the death toll might increase further. The blaze originated at a godown operated by Pushpanjali Decorators and quickly spread to an adjacent warehouse used by food chain Wow! Momo near Ruby crossing.
Officials confirmed that inflammable materials stored in both structures contributed to the rapid spread of the fire, trapping numerous workers inside. Police reports indicate that only three out of approximately 37 workers present managed to escape the inferno.
Most victims were temporary residents who had been staying on the warehouse premises and hailed from neighboring districts. By Tuesday evening, rescue teams had recovered 11 charred bodies, with authorities planning DNA tests to establish proper identification of the victims.
State Government Response and Compensation
West Bengal's urban development minister and Kolkata mayor Firhad Hakim visited the accident site and announced additional compensation of Rs. 10 lakh for each affected family. This state-level assistance complements the central government's relief measures announced by Prime Minister Modi.
Investigation and Safety Concerns
Preliminary investigations have revealed serious fire safety violations at both warehouse locations. Narendrapur police have detained Gangadhar Das, owner of Pushpanjali Decorators, from his East Midnapore residence. Officials confirmed that Das owns the land where both warehouses were constructed, with the Wow! Momo unit operating on lease.
A senior police officer stated that investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the fire, with initial suspicions pointing toward a cooking oven as the possible ignition source. Authorities are also examining whether the warehouses complied with mandatory fire safety regulations.
Fire minister Sujit Bose confirmed that both units were operating without the required fire safety clearances. "A probe has been initiated to ascertain the cause. We are also checking if fire audit was done. Stern legal action will be taken against the godown owners for lapses," he emphasized.
Company Responses and Ongoing Rescue Efforts
Wow! Momo issued a statement claiming their warehouse had complied with safety norms, with 28 fire extinguishers installed inside their facility. The company spokesperson suggested that the fire originated in the adjacent decorator's warehouse, which allegedly lacked proper safety compliance.
As rescue operations continue cautiously, relatives of missing workers gathered at the site, anxiously awaiting information about their family members. The structural collapse of significant portions of both warehouses has complicated search efforts, with rescue teams working carefully to locate those feared trapped under debris.
"We are waiting for any word, but the silence is deafening. Our boys came here to earn a living, not to disappear into ash," expressed a relative of one missing worker from Panskura, capturing the anguish of families awaiting news about their loved ones.
