The aftermath of a devastating warehouse fire in Anandapur, South 24 Parganas, has led to the arrest of two senior staff members of the food chain Wow! Momo, following widespread public and official concern over safety protocols. Manager Raja Chakraborty and deputy manager Manoranjan Sheet were taken into custody as part of the ongoing investigation.
The fire, which erupted around 3 a.m. on Monday, originated in a godown owned by Pushpanjali Decorators and rapidly spread to an adjacent warehouse operated by Wow! Momo. Both facilities stored highly flammable materials, which caused the blaze to engulf the structures within minutes, leaving workers with little chance to escape. At least 25 workers have died, and rescue teams continue to search for missing employees amid the debris.
Authorities revealed that the majority of victims were daily-wage workers from neighbouring districts who resided on the premises. While Wow! Momo officials stated that their Nazirabad warehouse, operational for three years, complied with fire safety regulations including the installation of 28 fire extinguishers, the decorator’s godown reportedly lacked proper safety measures. Investigators are examining the precise cause of the fire to determine responsibility.
The tragedy has sparked public outrage, with civic groups and local leaders demanding stricter accountability for corporate and warehouse management. Demonstrations emphasised the urgent need for rigorous enforcement of fire safety protocols and enhanced oversight in industrial facilities.
Kolkata Police and fire services are continuing recovery operations, combing through the site for survivors and documenting evidence for the ongoing legal proceedings. Meanwhile, both the government and private sector representatives are reviewing safety compliance to prevent similar incidents in the future.
This incident underscores broader concerns regarding occupational safety in warehouses and manufacturing units, highlighting the vulnerabilities faced by workers in densely packed industrial areas. Authorities have pledged to accelerate inspections and enforce stricter adherence to fire safety norms to protect the lives of employees.
As investigations proceed, the city mourns the loss of life and presses for actionable changes to prevent future disasters, balancing justice for victims with systematic improvements in industrial safety standards.
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