Anandapur: Delay in Fire Response Questioned After Deadly Warehouse Blaze

Anandapur: The death toll from the devastating fire that tore through two warehouses in Anandapur, on the southern fringes of Kolkata, has climbed to 21, raising serious questions about emergency response delays and administrative coordination. As search teams continue to look for nearly 28 missing people, eyewitness accounts and local reactions suggest that valuable time may have been lost during the crucial early minutes of the incident.

Eyewitness Account Points to Early Warning

Virendra Yadav, who owns a cattle shed adjoining the Pushpanjali Decorators warehouse where the fire reportedly began, said he was the first person to notice the blaze in the early hours of Monday. According to Yadav, flames were visible from his kitchen window at around 2.30 a.m., prompting immediate concern for his livestock housed nearby.

He initially attempted to control the fire using a motor pump, but the intensity of the flames quickly made those efforts futile. Fearing for the safety of his cows and buffaloes, Yadav shifted the animals to a safer location before leaving the area himself.

Confusion Over Jurisdiction Delayed Fire Engines

Yadav said he contacted emergency services as soon as he realised the fire was beyond control. However, when he dialled the fire emergency number, the call was routed to the district control room. Instead of dispatching fire engines immediately, officials reportedly asked him to contact the Kolkata fire services control room, citing jurisdictional boundaries.

Unable to resolve the issue himself, Yadav sought help from an acquaintance to place a call to the city control room. Fire tenders eventually arrived at the scene approximately 30 minutes later. By then, the fire had spread from the Pushpanjali Decorators warehouse to the adjacent Wow Momo facility, significantly worsening the situation.

Residents Express Anger Over Administrative Response

The delay has triggered widespread anger among local residents, many of whom believe the disaster could have been less severe with a faster response. Their frustration was further fuelled by the late arrival of the state fire minister, who visited the site more than a day after the incident.

Residents questioned the lack of urgency shown by senior officials, calling it a reflection of administrative failure. Several locals said the slow response at multiple levels highlighted gaps in coordination during emergencies, especially in industrial areas with mixed jurisdiction.

Search Operations Continue Amid Grim Discoveries

Rescue and recovery operations have been ongoing since the fire was brought under control. Authorities have confirmed that at least 21 bodies have been recovered so far, while dozens of families remain anxiously waiting for news of missing relatives. Emergency teams continue to clear debris from the gutted structures, although progress has been slow due to safety concerns and structural instability.

Officials said identification of victims is underway, and support arrangements are being made for affected families. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, with forensic teams examining the site.

Arrest Made as Legal Action Begins

Police have arrested Gangadhar Das, the owner of the Pushpanjali Decorators warehouse, on charges related to causing death through negligence. He was produced before a court on Thursday and has been remanded to police custody until February 4 for further questioning.

The Pushpanjali warehouse was located directly beside the Wow Momo unit, which was also completely destroyed in the blaze. Similar legal provisions have reportedly been invoked against the owners of the food company, though no arrests have been made in that case so far.

Company Confirms Employee Losses

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Wow Momo confirmed that three of its employees lost their lives in the fire. The company said it was cooperating with authorities and extending support to the families of the deceased.

As investigations continue, the tragedy has renewed calls for clearer emergency protocols and faster inter-agency coordination to prevent similar incidents in the future.