Deadly Warehouse Fire in West Bengal Claims Three lives, 13 Missing
KOLKATA, INDIA – January 26, 2026 – A devastating fire erupted in the Najirabad area of South 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, in the early hours of today, resulting in the deaths of three individuals and leaving 13 others unaccounted for.The blaze engulfed two warehouses, one storing goods for a fast-food chain and the other belonging to a decorator, and sparked a massive emergency response.
Timeline of Events
The fire broke out around 3:00 AM and continued to burn intensely for several hours.Firefighters worked tirelessly, bringing the fire under control by approximately 1:00 PM local time. However, extinguishing remaining pockets of flames and sifting through the debris continues as of 5:30 PM.
Search and Rescue Efforts
As of this evening, the charred remains of three people have been recovered from the wreckage. Authorities are focusing on locating the 13 individuals who are currently missing. Family members of the missing have been attempting to contact their loved ones, but mobile phones are either switched off or going unanswered. Initial reports indicate at least one individual attempted to break through a wall to escape the blaze.
“My son-in-law, Pankaj Halder, called me and said there was a fire in the godown where he worked and that he and three others were trapped. He said they were trying to break through a wall. When I tried to call back, his phone was switched off,” stated Alok Naskar, a resident of South 24 Parganas.
Another family member, attempting to locate Krishna Dhara, reported speaking to him on the phone the evening before. The individual rushed to the scene from Pinga in West Midnapore after learning of the fire and has filed a missing person’s report.
Government Response & Investigation
Bengal power minister Arup Biswas stated he has been in contact with families of the missing. He emphasized that fully assessing the situation and determining the cause of the fire will require complete extinguishment and a thorough search of the site. the Hindu offers continuing coverage of the disaster.
Officials confirm that both warehouses contained flammable materials, contributing to the rapid spread of the fire. Twelve fire tenders were deployed to combat the blaze.
Political Reactions
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has criticized the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) government amid the disaster, alleging a lack of responsiveness due to Republic Day celebrations. Suvendu Adhikari, leader of Opposition in the state assembly, stated that one individual from Moyna in East Midnapore district is also among those missing.
Key Takeaways
- A major fire broke out in South 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, on January 26, 2026.
- Three people have died, and 13 are currently missing.
- The fire originated in two warehouses containing flammable goods.
- Rescue and recovery efforts are ongoing, hampered by the scale of the damage.
- Political tensions have emerged in the wake of the tragedy.
The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.Authorities are expected to release further details as they become available. This incident underscores the critical need for stringent fire safety regulations and preparedness in industrial areas.
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