Kolkata: At least eight people lost their lives and several others are feared missing after a massive fire gutted two adjoining godowns in Najirabad, on the outskirts of Kolkata, on Monday.
The fire broke out around 3 am in the godowns under the Narendrapur police station area. Twelve fire tenders were rushed to the spot, and it took nearly seven hours to bring the blaze under control. Even after that, pockets of fire continued to smoulder in parts of the gutted structures, officials said.
One of the godowns housed a momo-making factory and stored inflammable articles, authorities said. Those killed are believed to be workers.
The search operation could begin only after the flames subsided. While three badly charred bodies were recovered around 5 pm, five others were brought out later in the evening. The victims could not be identified as the bodies were burnt beyond recognition, Baruipur SP Shubhendu Kumar said.
The exact number of casualties would only be known after the debris is completely cleared and the remaining fire pockets are fully extinguished, he added.
According to the police, the two godowns housed labourers working for a decorating firm and a popular momo chain. It was initially believed that six people are missing. The number has gone up to more than 10.
Most of the dead and missing are believed to be from the East and West Midnapore districts and South 24 Parganas.
Anxious relatives gathered outside the cordoned-off site as dusk gathered, repeatedly approaching the police and fire officials for updates, as reported by PTI.
“My uncle used to stay in a small room inside the godown. He last called around 1 am. Since then, his phone is switched off,” said Tanmoy Giri, who has been waiting at the spot since morning.
Another young man said his father had reported for a night shift at the momo unit but has not been heard from since the fire broke out.
State fire services minister Sujit Bose said rescue operations were continuing, with teams working to douse lingering flames across different floors. High-mast lamps have been installed to aid night-time operations.
When asked about fire safety compliance, Bose said that while fire audits are conducted twice a year, it is ultimately the responsibility of owners and company officials to ensure safety protocols are followed “in letter and spirit”, timesnow.in reported.
BJP MLA Ashok Dinda, who visited the site later in the evening, said several labourers used to stay in makeshift shelters inside the godowns. Four workers managed to escape before the flames spread, he said, but many others may have remained trapped as the main gate was allegedly locked at midnight.
Fire fighting efforts were also hampered due to the narrow lanes leading to the godowns. Demolition squads from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation have been called in to break walls and allow the smoke to escape, before a total assessment can be done.
The cause of the fire and the extent of the damage are yet to be determined.
With Assembly elections approaching in West Bengal, leader of the opposition Suvendu Adhikari accused the ruling Trinamool Congress government of insensitivity and poor coordination in handling a fire of such magnitude.