Kolkata, Jan 28 (NationPress) The death toll from the devastating fire that erupted in two warehouses located in Anandapur, on the southern edge of Kolkata, has reached 21, according to police statements released on Wednesday.

Currently, approximately 27 individuals remain unaccounted for, prompting ongoing search efforts.

In a related development, authorities have apprehended Gangadhar Das, the proprietor of the damaged Pushpanjali decorator's warehouse, who faces charges of negligence leading to fatalities.

On Wednesday, he was presented in court and subsequently remanded to police custody until February 4.

The Pushpanjali decorator's facility was situated next to a warehouse belonging to a momo company (Wow Momo), which was also entirely consumed by the flames. Similar charges have been filed against the momo company's owners, though no arrests have been made from that side yet.

Wow Momo confirmed on Wednesday that they have tragically lost three employees in this fire.

In an official statement, the company revealed that the fire, which broke out around 3 a.m. on January 26, spread from an adjacent warehouse, completely destroying their own facility in Anandapur.

"Our hearts are heavy with sorrow for the loss of two of our dedicated employees and a security guard contracted through NIS during this tragedy," the statement articulated.

The company has announced a compensation strategy, offering Rs 10 lakh to each affected family, lifetime monthly salaries for the bereaved, and comprehensive educational support for the children of those lost. They further indicated that the fire reportedly commenced due to unauthorized cooking activities at the neighboring warehouse.

The inferno in the two warehouses ignited around 3 a.m. on Monday and raged until Tuesday afternoon. Remains were scattered throughout the charred structures, making it difficult to determine the exact number of individuals present during the incident.

The condition of the victims has rendered identification nearly impossible. Police have stated that DNA testing will be utilized to establish identities following a court order.

Investigations into the cause of the fire are underway. Based on a complaint from the fire department, a case of negligence resulting in death has been registered at the Narendrapur police station.

The police have also initiated a suo motu case under the same section. Acting on these two cases, officers arrested Gangadhar from the Garia region on Tuesday night. Sources indicate that investigators will seek court approval for DNA testing to ascertain the identities of the deceased.

Meanwhile, concerns are being raised regarding whether the two destroyed warehouses in Anandapur had any fire safety measures in place.

On Tuesday, the Director General of the Fire Department, Ranveer Kumar, visited the site and confirmed that no fire safety clearance had been issued for the warehouses. He admitted potential oversights by the department and emphasized that the matter will be thoroughly examined.

Questions are also being directed at the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) for their lack of action in this regard, with claims circulating that the warehouses were constructed on reclaimed wetlands.

However, Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim stated that he was unaware of the warehouses' location relative to wetlands, asserting that no new wetlands are being filled.

In a show of support, Hakim announced that financial aid would be extended to the families of those deceased and missing due to the Anandapur warehouse fire.

After visiting the disaster site, Hakim declared that each family would receive Rs 10 lakh in assistance, with cheques to be distributed once the bodies or remains are identified.

On Wednesday, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee revealed that job opportunities as civic volunteers would be offered to family members of each victim from the fire incident.