Kolkata, Jan 28 (NationPress) The tragic fire incident involving two warehouses in Anandapur, located on the southern fringes of Kolkata, has resulted in a confirmed death toll of 16, according to police updates on Wednesday.

Amid the chaos, several individuals remain unaccounted for, prompting ongoing search efforts.

In connection with this devastating event, police have apprehended Gangadhar Das, the proprietor of the devastated decorator's warehouse, on allegations of causing death by negligence.

The decorator's facility was situated next to a Momo company’s warehouse, which also succumbed to the flames. Similar allegations have been raised against the Momo company's owners, although no arrests have been made in that regard.

The fire erupted in the two warehouses around 3 a.m. on Monday and continued to burn fiercely until Tuesday afternoon. Remains of individuals were discovered throughout the charred warehouses, complicating identification efforts. The precise number of individuals present at the scene during the fire remains unclear, and DNA testing will be employed to confirm identities following a court order.

“Currently, we have confirmed 16 deaths. However, we are still in the dark regarding the identities and residences of those deceased. Official reports indicate that 20 individuals are still missing,” reported a senior officer from the Baruipur Police District.

The origin of the fire and the specific warehouse from which it spread are still under investigation. A case of death due to negligence has been registered at the Narendrapur police station, following a complaint from the fire department. The police also initiated a suo motu case under the same section. As a result, Gangadhar was detained in the Garia area on Tuesday night. After undergoing a medical examination on Wednesday, he will be presented before the Baruipur Sub-Divisional Court. Police sources indicate that investigators will seek court approval for DNA testing to identify the deceased.

However, Gangadhar has denied responsibility, asserting that the negligence lied with the Momo factory. He lamented the devastating impact on his long-standing business.

Questions are being raised regarding the absence of fire safety measures in the two destroyed warehouses in Anandapur. On Tuesday, Ranveer Kumar, the Director General of the Fire Department, visited the location and confirmed that no fire safety clearance had been issued for the warehouses. This raises serious concerns about how these establishments operated without proper authorization.

Ranveer Kumar acknowledged potential lapses within the fire department and assured a thorough investigation will follow.

There are also growing concerns about the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) and their inaction regarding these warehouses. Following his site visit, Kolkata Mayor and state Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim stated, “It’s unjust to jeopardize someone's livelihood. Otherwise, you will be the ones raising questions.”

Various claims suggest the warehouses were built on filled wetlands. However, Firhad Hakim stated he was unaware of whether the warehouses were indeed on wetlands, asserting that no new wetlands are currently being filled.

Additionally, on Tuesday, Hakim declared that financial support would be made available to the families of those who perished and those still missing in the Anandapur warehouse fire. Following his visit to the fire site, he announced that each family would receive Rs 10 lakh in assistance, with checks to be distributed once the bodies or body parts are identified.