Kolkata witnessed a tragic incident early Monday when a massive fire broke out at a warehouse in Anandapur, located in the city’s southern outskirts. The police confirmed that three people have died, while several others remain missing as rescue efforts continue.
The fire reportedly started around 3 am in a dry food warehouse housing primarily packaged dry food items and soft drink bottles. Nearly 15 fire brigade teams were deployed to control the blaze, which later spread to two neighbouring warehouses, destroying almost everything inside.
Firefighters faced significant challenges due to the warehouse’s location in a narrow lane, restricting water supply without long pipes and delaying containment of the fire. Though partial control was established by 11 am, some areas remained ablaze, and operations to extinguish the remaining fire were ongoing.
State Energy Minister Arup Biswas visited the site, offering condolences to the families of the deceased and assessing the rescue situation. He emphasised that police and fire services were working closely and urged against politicising the tragedy, stating, “This is not the time for politics but to allow the authorities to do their work.”
The cause of the fire remains unclear. Reports indicate that six security personnel and several night-shift workers were trapped inside. Locals alleged the warehouse was locked from outside, preventing those inside from escaping. Families of the missing workers shared that the trapped individuals had called for help and tried breaking a wall to flee before contact was lost.
Baruipur Police Superintendent Shubhendra Kumar confirmed three deaths and said the search for others was still underway, with fears that the death toll could rise. One relative recounted hearing a desperate call for rescue early in the morning and the ongoing efforts by firefighters to control the situation before any further statements can be made.
Fire brigade officials also confirmed that a nearby residential building housing about 100 people was evacuated safely, but those inside the warehouse remain unaccounted for. West Bengal Minister Sujit Bose noted that the fire affected warehouses belonging to a well-known momo company and a catering firm, with fire department teams actively monitoring and battling the blaze.
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