At least 16 people have died in a fire that broke out at a garment factory and adjacent chemical warehouse in Rupnagar, Mirpur on Tuesday night, officials confirmed.
According to the Fire Service and Civil Defence, the blaze began on the third floor of a four-storey garment unit and quickly spread to the nearby chemical storage area. The fire burned for over nine hours before it was brought under control by teams from the Fire Service, Bangladesh Army, RAB, BGB, and police.
Officials said many victims died after inhaling toxic gas when they were unable to escape through locked roof exits. “They inhaled the gas, lost consciousness, and died instantly,” said Lt Col Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury, operations and maintenance director of the Fire Service.
The bodies, many severely burned, were taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for identification. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and DIFE have formed separate committees to investigate the cause of the fire and assess safety compliance.
Authorities confirmed that neither the garment factory nor the chemical warehouse had fire safety licenses or protection plans. Preliminary reports indicate the warehouse contained bleaching powder, plastic, and hydrogen peroxide, all of which are highly flammable.
An investigation is underway, and officials have begun efforts to locate the factory and warehouse owners.
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