Kolkata, Jan 27 (NationPress) It has been over 32 hours since the devastating fire incident at the twin warehouses in Anandapur, located in east Kolkata. The tragic event has resulted in a death toll of eight, with numerous individuals still unaccounted for. The Director General of the Fire Department disclosed that the warehouses were lacking essential fire safety precautions and were operating without the necessary authorization from the fire department.

On Tuesday morning, state fire minister Sujit Bose visited the site to assess the situation. Coinciding with his visit, BJP MLA Ashok Dinda from Moyna in East Midnapore and local BJP supporters were also present, leading to protests directed at Minister Bose for his delayed response.

The fire ignited at a warehouse belonging to a momo company in Nazirabad, Anandapur, around 3 am on Monday. The flames rapidly spread to two neighboring warehouses. Despite extensive firefighting efforts involving 12 fire engines, the fire remained uncontrolled even by Monday night.

By Tuesday morning, remnants of fire could still be seen within various sections of the charred warehouses, with thick black smoke billowing from the wreckage. The confirmed death toll stands at eight, with many bodies so severely burned that identification is impossible. These remains have been sent for forensic examination.

According to police reports, at least 14 individuals are still missing, and investigations are ongoing to ascertain whether anyone remains trapped inside.

Authorities have indicated that legal actions will be pursued against the factory management if they are found culpable. On Tuesday, Fire Department DG Ranveer Kumar inspected the scene and stated that the fire department had not granted any clearance for fire safety measures at the warehouse.

When questioned about how the warehouse operated without authorization for so long, he noted, "There may have been some oversight on our part. An investigation will be launched." Minister Sujit Bose arrived at the scene around 11:30 am to inspect the damage and engage with fire service personnel.

The Trinamool Congress leader also expressed condolences to the grieving families, stating, "This site resembled a tinderbox. Spanning 35,000 square feet, it contained a momo manufacturing facility alongside a decorator's warehouse, both filled with highly flammable materials. The extent of the damage is significant. Upon receiving the report, we dispatched 12 fire engines, and senior fire officials were also deployed."

The minister confirmed the absence of adequate fire safety measures at the warehouses and affirmed that prompt legal action would follow. An investigation will also determine if a fire audit had ever taken place at the site.

Meanwhile, BJP MLA Ashok Dinda also visited the scene on Tuesday morning, where tensions flared as BJP supporters confronted Minister Bose, chanting slogans for him to leave. This led to a scuffle between the two groups, but order was restored.

Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, criticized the state government over the incident. He stated, "This is not just an accident; it is a direct result of the Mamata Banerjee Government's chronic negligence, incompetence, and utter failure in governance. The absence of administrative checks and balances has led to a flagrant disregard for rules, ultimately costing lives."

Adhikari further emphasized that the incident occurred in an area of the East Kolkata Wetlands, where illegal land conversions have allowed unregulated industrial units to flourish without adhering to safety norms.

"People were trapped inside locked warehouses packed with flammable materials, with no escape routes, narrow lanes obstructing rescue efforts, and zero fire safety measures," he lamented.

Adhikari also criticized Minister Sujit Bose for his late arrival at the scene, remarking, "The Fire Minister, who showed up over 30 hours later, should instead be addressing why people were in the warehouses in the first place." He called for an immediate, high-level inquiry, strict punishment for those responsible, and compensation for the affected families.