Kolkata, India – In the aftermath of a devastating warehouse fire that claimed the lives of at least 25 people, Indian authorities have arrested the owner of a warehouse and two managers. The Narendrapur Police arrested Raja Chakraborty, the manager, and Manoranjan Sheet, the deputy manager, of Wow! Momo on Friday on charges of negligence. Earlier in the week, Gangadhar Das, the owner of an adjacent decorating warehouse where the fire is suspected to have originated, was also taken into custody.
The blaze erupted in the early hours of January 26, 2026, engulfing two warehouses in the Nazirabad area, off the EM Bypass, on the outskirts of Kolkata. The warehouses stored materials for Pushpanjali Decorators and Wow! Momo, a fast-food chain. The rapid spread of the fire trapped workers inside, leaving little chance of escape.
Fire officials stated that the warehouses lacked proper fire safety measures, including alarms, sprinklers, and clearly marked emergency exits. The absence of a valid fire safety clearance has raised concerns about regulatory oversight. Allegations have also surfaced indicating that exit gates may have been locked, hindering workers' escape. These allegations are currently under police investigation.
As of Thursday, authorities had recovered approximately 25 body parts from the site. Due to the severity of the burns, forensic experts will use DNA profiling to identify the victims. Many of the workers were from the East Midnapore districts. Approximately 25 people are still reported missing. Wow! Momo released a statement confirming that two of its employees and one security guard died in the fire. The company has announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the families of each victim, as well as monthly financial aid and educational support for the deceased's children.
The incident has sparked political debate, with opposition leaders alleging governmental negligence and accusing the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of shielding those responsible. Suvendu Adhikari, a BJP leader, led a protest in Anandapur, demanding the arrest of the Wow! Momo owners and criticizing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for not visiting the site. Adhikari also claimed the state government was protecting Wow! Momo because the owner had accompanied the Chief Minister on foreign trips and illegally obtained licenses for multiple outlets in Kolkata. He called for the resignation of Fire and Emergency Services Minister Sujit Bose, who has faced criticism for his department's handling of the incident. Bose responded that the fire department acted appropriately.
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation has begun demolishing the remaining structures at the fire site. Investigations continue, with authorities recording statements from survivors, families, and local residents. The National Human Rights Commission has taken notice of the incident and has directed the District Magistrate to submit an action report.
