Ghola factory fire: Mitra visits spot, no bodies found yet

Kolkata: State Finance minister and Khardah MLA Amit Mitra on Tuesday visited the plastic goods factory at Jugberia near Ghola, where a devastating fire broke out on Monday and stated that the state government will take stringent action against the factory authorities for violating the fire safety and security management norms.

On Tuesday, he went to check with the firefighting operations there and also interacted with the family members of the labourers who are feared to have been trapped inside the factory and are still missing.

Mitra informed that the government is with the victims and they will be compensated accordingly. Later in the afternoon, the state fire brigade lodged an FIR at New Barrackpore police station against the factory owner.

"The state government is always there with the people. The concerned department will take stringent action. An FIR has been lodged by the Fire department. No one will be spared," said Mitra.

According to sources, family members of the missing labourers are still waiting

outside of the factory since Monday afternoon. It has

been alleged that the factory authorities did not cooperate with either them or the firefighters.

Also, due to multiple LPG cylinder blasts, several cracks have developed on the building's structure. Thus it is being feared that the factory might collapse at any moment.

Despite the critical situation, a team comprising members of Disaster Management Group (DMG), fire brigade, police and civil administration went inside the factory but no bodies could be found as burnt debris was scattered everywhere.

Till Tuesday night, no bodies could be traced. According to fire officials, chances of survival for the trapped labourers are negligible. White smoke is still coming out of the factory but signs of fire could not be traced. On Tuesday evening, forensic experts visited the factory and collected necessary samples.

Locals alleged that four years ago, a fire had broken out at the same factory. But the authorities had not bothered to install firefighting and safety management systems even after that. The locals were assured by the administration that the guilty party will be brought to justice.