Kolkata Fire Tragedy Exposes Critical Safety Lapses in Warehouses
In a devastating incident that has shaken Kolkata, a massive fire at two warehouses has resulted in the tragic loss of 11 lives, with 23 individuals still reported missing and feared dead. The blaze, which broke out in the early hours of Monday, has exposed severe negligence in fire safety protocols, as confirmed by Fire Minister Sujit Bose during his visit to the site on Tuesday.
Complete Absence of Mandatory Fire Safety Measures
Minister Sujit Bose revealed that both warehouses were operating without the mandatory fire safety clearances and demonstrated little to no preparedness for firefighting emergencies. Fire officers on the scene reported that the sheds were dangerously stacked with large quantities of goods and highly inflammable packaging materials, creating a tinderbox environment.
Initial investigations have pointed to a complete lack of basic safety measures. According to a fire officer, "Barring a few fire extinguishers in one godown, no safety measure was in place. It is illegal for so many workers to stay inside a godown at night, and there was no emergency exit." This illegal practice of allowing workers to sleep inside the sheds overnight significantly contributed to the high casualty count.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The fire originated around 3 am on Monday at the Pushpanjali Decorators godown, where approximately 34 people were sleeping inside. Only three individuals managed to escape the inferno. Simultaneously, three guards at the adjacent Wow! Momo godown lost their lives in the tragedy. Firefighters faced additional challenges due to inadequate access; they had to demolish portions of the structures to reach the source of the fire.
An officer explained, "We razed some portions to get access to the source, the decorators' godown. There was not enough space for fire engines to pass." The firefighting operation continued relentlessly until Tuesday, highlighting the severity of the blaze.
Conflicting Claims and Ongoing Investigation
While the owner of the Pushpanjali Decorators godown, suspected to be the origin point of the fire, remains unreachable, the spokesperson for Wow! Momo has refuted allegations of non-compliance. The spokesperson stated, "We complied with fire safety protocols and had 28 fire extinguishers inside. The decorators godown did not have compliance. The fire spread from there."
However, local residents and workers from nearby godowns painted a different picture. A manager from a neighboring warehouse told TOI, "The tin-roof sheds did not have safety measures. They don't even have an emergency exit. The workers also cook inside, which increases the fire risk." Some area residents even claimed that people were seen partying at the spot on the night the fire occurred.
Government Response and Legal Actions
Fire Minister Sujit Bose has announced a thorough probe to ascertain the exact cause of the fire. He stated, "I have learnt that adequate fire safety measures were not in place. We are checking if a fire audit was conducted. Legal actions will be taken against the owners." This statement underscores the government's commitment to holding negligent parties accountable and preventing such tragedies in the future.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of adhering to fire safety regulations, especially in densely populated urban areas like Kolkata. As the investigation progresses, the focus remains on ensuring justice for the victims and implementing stricter enforcement of safety standards across all commercial establishments.
