Massive Fire at Kolkata Warehouse Leaves Three Dead, Several Missing in Anandapur
A devastating fire erupted at a warehouse in Kolkata's Anandapur area in the early hours of Monday, resulting in at least three confirmed fatalities and leaving several individuals missing. The tragic incident has prompted a large-scale search and rescue operation as firefighters continue to battle pockets of fire at the site.
Warehouse Engulfed in Flames Overnight
The fire brigade received an alert about the blaze at the warehouse located in Anandapur's Nazirabad at approximately 3 am. According to fire department officials, the flames rapidly spread across two adjacent warehouses, which were primarily used for storing dry and packaged food items along with soft drinks. The intense fire reduced almost everything within the structures to ashes, creating a challenging environment for emergency responders.
Rescue Efforts Hampered by Location Challenges
Emergency teams faced significant difficulties in reaching the fire due to the warehouse's location deep inside a narrow lane. This accessibility issue delayed the containment efforts, as firefighters had to deploy exceptionally long hoses to supply water to the site. After a grueling effort involving twelve fire engines, the blaze was brought under partial control only after 11 am, officials confirmed.
Human Toll and Ongoing Search Operations
Suvendra Kumar, superintendent of Baruipur police district, confirmed the three fatalities on Monday afternoon, stating that the search for missing individuals continues. Several employees who were on night shift duty at the time of the fire became trapped inside the building, leading to fears that the death toll might rise as operations progress.
Minister Aroop Biswas visited the site to oversee rescue operations and spoke with families of the missing individuals. He confirmed that police and fire department personnel were working jointly and that officials had entered the building to determine if anyone else remained trapped inside.
Heartbreaking Accounts from Families and Witnesses
A relative of one missing person shared a harrowing account: "My son-in-law was inside on night duty. He called at 3 am, crying, 'Save me!' We rushed here immediately but couldn't find anyone." Another worker reported that during their last phone conversation with those trapped inside, the individuals mentioned they were attempting to break through a wall to escape before communication was lost.
Cause of Fire Remains Unclear
The exact cause of the massive fire remains undetermined as investigations continue. The warehouse's storage of dry and packaged food items may have contributed to the rapid spread of flames, though authorities have not yet confirmed any specific ignition source.
This tragic incident highlights the ongoing fire safety challenges in urban warehouse facilities, particularly those located in areas with limited accessibility for emergency vehicles. The community awaits further updates as search operations continue and authorities work to determine the full extent of this devastating event.
