At least 21 people have died and 28 are missing after a massive fire engulfed two godowns and a momo manufacturing unit in Anandapur, located in South 24 Parganas district near Kolkata in West Bengal. The momo factory said in a statement that it lost two employees and a contract security guard in the Jan. 26 fire. With 28 missing and fires of this magnitude, the death toll is likely to rise.
The owner of the factory, Gangadhar Das, is absconding and an FIR has been registered against him, a senior police authority said. His phone is also said to be switched off and efforts are underway to trace his whereabouts.
“An FIR has been registered against the owner. He has not been traceable since the incident and his mobile phone remains switched off,” the police officer said, adding, “raids are on and all possible places are being verified.”
Momo Announces Salary for Life
This was announced by the momo company, which reportedly lost three of its employees ₹10 lakh compensation and “lifetime monthly salary” support to their next of kin.
“As part of its commitment, the company announced a one-time compensation in the amount ₹10 crore to each affected family, monthly wage support for life for the bereaved families and educational support for the children of the deceased,” the statement said.
A devastating fire reduced the momo company’s manufacturing unit in Anandapur in South 24 Parganas district to ashes.
In a statement, quick service restaurant and packaged food company Wow! Momo said the fire, which broke out at around 3am on January 26 in a neighboring warehouse, quickly spread to one of its collapsed premises, resulting in the complete burning of the facility.
How did the fire start?
According to the statement, the fire allegedly started due to unauthorized cooking activity in the adjacent warehouse. “This fire has consumed not only our men, but our spirit.
Regulatory deficiencies were also found in the operation of the factory. Fire officials said the factory unit was operating without a mandatory fire safety clearance.
“No fire safety clearance has been issued for this unit,” a senior fire official told PTI in the presence of Fire and Rescue Services Minister Sujit Bose.
It was also announced by the Bengal government ₹10 million ex-gratia to the relatives of the victims.
The compensation will be handed over once the bodies or body parts are identified, Hakim said, adding that on Wednesday the court would seek permission to conduct DNA tests.
One person was arrested in connection with the fire.
