Overview
- The fire erupted around 3 a.m. on January 26 in twin warehouses at Nazirabad in the Anandapur area and took hours to bring largely under control, with pockets still smouldering into the next day.
- Police arrested Gangadhar Das, who owns the decorator’s warehouse, on charges including causing death by negligence, while similar cases were filed against the adjoining momo company’s owners.
- Officers confirmed 16 fatalities and said the remains are charred beyond recognition, prompting plans to seek court approval for forensic and DNA analysis.
- Authorities reported roughly 20 people officially missing as search and recovery operations continue at the gutted site.
- Fire officials said the facilities lacked fire-safety clearance and proper measures, the cause is under investigation with a short circuit suspected, and the state announced Rs 10 lakh compensation per bereaved family.