A tragic fire tore through two adjoining warehouses in Anandapur, Kolkata, in the early hours of January 26, 2026, leaving at least 21 people dead and several others injured or missing. Victims were found “charred beyond recognition,” and authorities have sent remains for forensic identification.
The fire reportedly began at a decorators’ warehouse and quickly spread to an adjoining facility leased by the popular food chain Wow! Momo. Firefighters described the blaze as intense and fast-moving, noting that the warehouses lacked basic fire safety measures such as clear exit routes and firefighting equipment. Officials said this may have contributed to the high death toll.
Police have arrested several individuals in connection with the disaster. Gangadhar Das, the owner of the decorators’ warehouse, was taken into custody. Two Wow! Momo officials—the manager and deputy manager—were also arrested and sent to six days of police custody while the investigation continues. Authorities are examining the cause of the fire, adherence to safety regulations, and accountability of warehouse owners and lessees.
The incident has sparked political controversy. Leaders from the BJP criticized the West Bengal government, alleging negligence and inadequate enforcement of fire-safety regulations. They demanded a thorough probe, a complete list of the missing, and stricter action against those responsible. The opposition also raised questions about delayed official responses and called for better compensation measures for victims’ families.
The government announced ex-gratia compensation, including ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for each deceased person’s next of kin and ₹50,000 for the injured. Rescue operations, forensic examinations, and questioning are ongoing as authorities work to determine the full extent of the damage and prevent similar incidents in the future.
The tragedy has once again highlighted industrial safety concerns in Kolkata, raising urgent questions about compliance, inspections, and enforcement of fire-safety norms across commercial warehouses.
