Grief and anguish hang heavy over the fire-ravaged warehouses in Anandapur as families of missing workers cling to fading hope, even as the death toll in one of the city’s worst industrial fires has risen to 19.

Waiting by the ruins

Standing near the yellow “do-not-cross” tape is 24-year-old Moushumi Haldar, whose husband, Pankaj Haldar (27), had worked at the warehouse for the past three years. He is among dozens still missing since the massive blaze erupted around 3 am on Monday at the Anandapur godowns in Kolkata.

Moushumi has remained at the site as police and firefighters sift through debris, hoping for some trace of her husband. Her last memory is a chilling phone call. “He said the entire godown was on fire and there was no escape route. He told me, ‘just five minutes, and then we will die. Take care of my daughter and yourself’,” she said.

‘No one deserves such a death’

Similar despair grips Hare Krishna Maiti, whose brother and nephew had worked at the site for nearly eight years. “I know they are no more. We may not even get anything to perform their last rites,” he said, breaking down.

Relatives of other workers recalled equally harrowing final calls, with victims saying doors were locked from outside and there was “no more time”.

Survivors recount chaos

Those who escaped described scenes of panic, darkness and choking smoke. Workers spoke of long night shifts, sudden screams, intense heat and desperate attempts to reach the gates. Several collapsed due to smoke inhalation and regained consciousness only in ambulances.

Lapses and local concerns

Walking through the debris, the absence of basic fire safety measures is stark — no windows, sprinklers or emergency exits. Burnt bicycles and motorcycles lie scattered, silent reminders of workers who never returned home.

Residents said the godowns were built on land that was once part of the East Kolkata wetlands, raising concerns about unregulated construction and safety violations.

As rescue operations continue, families remain at the site, caught between hope, fear and irreversible loss.