GLOBIVOX

A devastating fire ripped through a warehouse in Kolkata, killing at least seven people and leaving 21 others unaccounted for, triggering frantic rescue and relief operations in the area. The blaze reportedly broke out late at night and quickly spread across the structure, fueled by stored materials that caused thick smoke and intense heat, making evacuation difficult for those inside.

Fire and emergency services rushed multiple engines to the scene and battled the flames for several hours before bringing the inferno under control. Disaster response teams, police personnel, and civic officials cordoned off the area as search operations continued through the charred debris. Sniffer dogs and thermal imaging equipment were also deployed to locate anyone who might still be trapped beneath the collapsed sections of the building.

Several injured workers were shifted to nearby hospitals, where doctors said some remain in critical condition due to severe burns and smoke inhalation. Authorities are coordinating with families of employees and maintaining a missing persons list while cross-checking records provided by the warehouse management.

Preliminary assessments suggest that inadequate fire safety measures or an electrical fault may have contributed to the incident, though officials stressed that the exact cause will only be known after a detailed forensic investigation. Senior civic administrators visited the site to review rescue efforts and announced that a formal inquiry has been ordered into possible lapses in compliance with safety norms.

Local residents described scenes of panic as flames leapt from the building and thick black smoke filled the sky, forcing nearby shops and homes to shut down temporarily. Traffic in surrounding areas was diverted for hours to allow emergency vehicles unhindered access.

The state government has expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and indicated that compensation and assistance will be provided to victims. As operations continue, authorities say their immediate priority remains locating the missing and ensuring such tragedies are prevented through stricter enforcement of safety regulations in industrial facilities.

A devastating fire at a warehouse in Kolkata has left at least seven people dead and 21 others missing, triggering large-scale rescue and relief operations that continued through the night and into the following day. The blaze, which reportedly erupted suddenly, spread rapidly through the structure, fed by stored goods and combustible materials. Thick plumes of smoke rose into the sky, visible from several kilometres away, while terrified workers and nearby residents scrambled to escape the danger.

According to officials, multiple fire tenders were rushed to the scene soon after the alarm was raised. Firefighters battled intense flames and extreme heat for hours, struggling to enter certain sections of the building because of partial collapses and poor visibility. Disaster response teams, police units, and civic authorities joined the operation, forming coordinated search parties to comb through the debris once the fire was largely brought under control. Thermal scanners, breathing apparatus, and cutting equipment were used to reach areas that had caved in under the heat.

Several injured people were pulled out during the initial rescue phase and transported to nearby hospitals, where doctors confirmed that some were in critical condition with severe burn injuries and respiratory complications caused by inhaling toxic fumes. Hospital authorities said emergency wards were put on alert, and additional staff were called in to handle the sudden influx of patients. Relatives of workers gathered anxiously outside medical facilities and at the disaster site, waiting for news about their loved ones as officials compiled lists of the injured and missing.

The warehouse, located in a busy industrial and commercial zone, reportedly stored a mix of goods, including packaging materials and other flammable items, which may have accelerated the spread of the fire. Nearby establishments were evacuated as a precaution, and traffic in surrounding roads was diverted for several hours to ensure smooth access for emergency vehicles. Residents described hearing loud cracking sounds as parts of the roof collapsed, followed by explosions that intensified fears in the neighbourhood.

Senior civic administrators and police officials visited the site to monitor rescue efforts and brief the media. They confirmed that a formal investigation has been ordered to determine the cause of the blaze and to examine whether the warehouse was adhering to mandatory fire safety regulations. Preliminary assessments point toward a possible electrical short circuit or safety lapses, but authorities emphasised that only a forensic examination and technical audit would provide definitive answers.

Fire department officials noted that operations were complicated by the layout of the building and the sheer volume of smoke trapped inside. “Our priority has been to cool down hotspots and secure unstable portions of the structure so that search teams can move in safely,” one officer said, adding that the focus remained on locating the missing persons as quickly as possible. Heavy machinery was brought in to remove debris, while engineers assessed the stability of the remaining walls to prevent further collapses.

Eyewitnesses recounted harrowing scenes as the fire spread. Some workers reportedly tried to flee through smoke-filled corridors, while others were seen calling out for help from upper floors before being cut off by flames. Shopkeepers in nearby areas shut down their businesses and rushed to safety as ash and burning fragments fell around them. Many residents also complained of breathing difficulties due to the thick smoke that blanketed the locality for hours.

The state government expressed deep condolences to the families of the victims and said that financial assistance and compensation would be provided to those affected. Officials added that counselling and support services would also be arranged for survivors and relatives of the missing. Senior leaders called for a swift and transparent probe into the incident and promised strict action if negligence was found.

Labour rights groups and safety advocates have renewed calls for stronger enforcement of industrial safety norms, pointing out that fires in storage facilities and factories continue to claim lives across major cities. They stressed the need for regular inspections, functional fire extinguishers and alarms, clearly marked evacuation routes, and training for workers in emergency response procedures.

As search operations continue, authorities remain hopeful that more survivors could be located, though they admitted that the chances diminish with time. Rescue teams are working in shifts to maintain momentum, while medical staff remain on standby for any additional casualties pulled from the wreckage.

For Kolkata, the tragedy has cast a sombre shadow, once again highlighting the dangers posed by inadequate safety infrastructure in densely populated urban areas. With families awaiting answers and investigators preparing to piece together what went wrong, the incident stands as a stark reminder of the urgent need to prioritise fire prevention measures and strict regulatory oversight to avert such catastrophic losses in the future.