The probe into the fatal warehouse blaze in Kolkata’s Anandapur area has escalated with the arrest of two senior employees linked to quick-service chain Wow! Momo, days after the fire that killed multiple people. The developments have intensified scrutiny of industrial safety practices and regulatory oversight in the city.
Arrests and Allegations
Kolkata Police arrested a warehouse manager and a deputy manager who were responsible for day-to-day operations at the facility. Officials say the two have been charged with negligence and violations of fire-safety norms after preliminary inquiries suggested significant lapses in emergency preparedness.
Both accused were produced before a local court and remanded to police custody for further interrogation as investigators reconstruct the sequence of events that led to the blaze.
How the Fire Spread
Investigators believe the fire may have originated in an adjacent warehouse and rapidly spread to the unit used by Wow! Momo for storage and operations. Teams are examining multiple possible causes, including combustible materials, improper storage practices and electrical faults.
Investigative attention is also focused on whether fire exits were accessible and whether evacuation procedures were adequate. Early site reports raised concerns about locked entry and exit points, poor ventilation and delays in firefighting response — factors that can magnify casualties in confined industrial spaces.
Casualties and Recovery Efforts
Authorities have recovered several bodies from the site; final identification is ongoing through forensic and DNA procedures. Families of missing workers remain anxious as officials work to confirm identities and notify next of kin.
Rescue and recovery teams spent several days clearing debris and searching for survivors. The complex has been sealed as forensic and safety examinations continue, underscoring risks faced by workers in inadequately regulated warehousing and industrial units.
Company Response and Public Reaction
Wow! Momo issued condolence statements and said it is cooperating with police and administrative authorities. The company has announced compensation and support for affected families, though full details are still being finalised.
The incident has drawn sharp responses from labour organisations, opposition politicians and civil-society groups in West Bengal, who have demanded stricter enforcement of safety regulations and clearer accountability across corporate and administrative channels.
Wider Safety Concerns
The Anandapur fire has revived broader questions about workplace safety standards in warehouses and informal industrial units nationwide. Safety experts stress the need for routine inspections, mandatory fire clearances, functioning emergency exits and independent safety audits to prevent recurring tragedies.
Investigations are ongoing and further arrests are possible if evidence indicates systemic failures or broader negligence. The detention of the two warehouse officials marks a significant procedural step as authorities seek to establish responsibility and strengthen enforcement to protect workers.
