New Delhi: A grim silence has settled over the Anandapur area of South 24 Parganas as the death toll from the catastrophic January 26 fire rose sharply to 21 on Thursday.
The discovery of 13 more bodies within the charred remains of industrial buildings has turned the site into a massive forensic recovery operation. The police warned that the number of fatalities is likely to climb even higher as more people remain missing.
The origin of fire
The tragedy, which struck in the early hours of Sunday night (around 3:00 AM), reportedly began not in a factory, but over a stove. Investigators believe the blaze was sparked by unauthorised cooking activities at a warehouse belonging to Pushpanjali Decorators.
The fire quickly turned into an uncontrollable firestorm, leaping from the decorators’ godown to consume two neighbouring warehouses and a major manufacturing unit belonging to the popular food chain, Wow! Momo.
DNA profiling for recognition
The intensity of the fire had been so extreme that many of the 21 victims recovered are “charred beyond recognition.” Authorities confirmed that conventional identification is impossible, and adopted DNA profiling and mapping on Thursday to help grieving families identify their loved ones.
“The extent of the damage is horrific,” a senior police official said. “DNA mapping is our only recourse to ensure the right families receive their kin for final rites.”]
Arrests and legal crackdown
The law has moved swiftly against those deemed responsible for the negligence. Gangadhar Das, the owner of the Pushpanjali Decorators warehouse where the fire allegedly started, was arrested by the police. He has been charged with the charges of death by negligence and has been remanded to police custody until February 4.
Four workers from the decorator’s firm who escaped the flames are being treated as key witnesses and may be used for a crime scene reconstruction.
Political friction and prohibitory orders
The disaster site has also become a flashpoint for political tension. From Wednesday midnight, police imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, banning public gatherings and restricting movement in the area.
This move comes as BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari moved the Calcutta High Court seeking permission to lead a march to the site. The police maintain the restrictions are necessary to facilitate “unhindered rescue and identification work.”
The corporate and state response
The impact on the Wow! Momo family has been particularly devastating. After initially reporting three deaths, the company clarified that it lost two direct employees and one security guard. In an emotional statement, the company said: “This fire engulfed not only our men, but our spirit too.”
To support the survivors, Wow! Momo announced Rs 10 Lakh lump-sum compensation per family with lifetime monthly salary support for the bereaved families. It also took responsibility for the full education funding of the children of the deceased.
The West Bengal Government has mirrored the financial aid, promising an additional Rs 10 Lakh to each victim’s family. Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim stated that the funds would be released immediately following the DNA verification of the remains.