25 Deaths, A Political Showdown: West Bengal Warehouse Fire Draws Scrutiny, Sparks Row

Last Updated:January 30, 2026, 11:41 IST

Police arrested three people after the deadly fire in Anandapur killed 25. DNA tests are underway, BJP and Trinamool sparred, and a Supreme Court-monitored SIT is being demanded.

The deadly fire broke out on January 26.

Amid an ongoing probe into the deadly fire at a manufacturing unit in Kolkata’s Anandapur area, the Narendrapur Police have arrested two more people, taking the total number of arrests to three. The death toll in the fire rose to 25 on Thursday.

Following the arrest of Pushpanjali Decorators godown owner Gangadhar Das, two officials of the momo manufacturing unit, including manager Manoranjan Sheet and deputy manager Raja Chakraborty, have now been taken into custody. Both are scheduled to be produced before the Baruipur Sub-Divisional Court around noon on Friday.

The fire, which broke out on the night of January 26, reduced two godowns and a momo manufacturing unit to ashes, leaving behind a scene of charred buildings and human remains, news agency PTI reported. Fire officials said the blaze has now been brought under control, with the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) clearing debris using gas cutters.

As partially burnt and skeletal remains have been retrieved, DNA profiling is being conducted to establish their identities. Police received 27 missing person reports, mostly from Purba Medinipur district.

Initial investigations indicate that a picnic was organised at the decorator’s godown on the night of January 25, with at least 28 people present. Eyewitnesses said that after dinner, most workers went to sleep before the fire broke out. Officials are examining whether a cigarette or other combustible material triggered the blaze.

A preliminary forensic report submitted to police indicates that the fire originated on the third floor of the decorator’s godown and later spread to the adjacent momo manufacturing unit. “Based on the examination conducted so far, the fire originated on the third floor of the decorators’ godown and subsequently spread to other parts of the premises, including the momo manufacturing unit," a senior police officer said, citing the joint report, PTI reported.

This contradicts claims by Das, who had initially alleged that the fire started in the momo unit. The combined area of the warehouse and manufacturing unit is approximately 35,000 square feet, with the momo unit occupying around 8,000 square feet.

Cause Of Fire Unknown

Fire and forensic teams have collected multiple samples from the site to determine the cause and point of origin of the fire. Search operations are ongoing to rule out the possibility of more people being trapped inside the gutted buildings.

The tragedy has drawn political attention. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Amit Malviya alleged that a Trinamool-backed group had claimed on social media that 50 people died in the blaze. “Trinamool-sponsored Bangla Pakkho claimed on social media that 50 people have died in the devastating fire in Anandapur," Malviya tweeted on Wednesday.

Later on Thursday, he claimed that at least 20 people died in the fire tragedy. “The devastating fire at the Nazirabad–Anandapur warehouse has already claimed over 20 innocent lives, with the death toll still rising, DNA tests underway for charred remains, and several persons missing. Families have been shattered forever," he wrote on X.

He called for a Supreme Court-monitored Special Investigation Team (SIT) to ensure accountability, criticising the delayed response of local ministers.

Meanwhile, the Calcutta High Court has granted permission for the BJP to hold a rally regarding the fire today.

Authorities continue to work at the site, prioritising recovery, investigation, and DNA identification of victims. Officials have emphasised that the final death toll can only be confirmed after DNA results are received.

“We cannot say now the exact death toll, as what we have recovered are body parts, which may belong to a single or different individuals. This can be confirmed only after the DNA test reports," a police officer said.

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