Firefighters in protective gear conduct operations at a blaze in a seven-storey building housing a garment factory and an adjacent chemical warehouse in the capital's Mirpur-Shialbari area on Wednesday. The fire is brought under control nearly 27 hours after breaking out on Tuesday. — FE Photo The fire that devastated a garment-factory building and its chemical warehouse killing 16 people in Dhaka's Mirpur area on Tuesday could be brought fully under control on Wednesday noon. Yet it will need 24 to 72 hours to begin search operation as the spot became extremely hazardous.
"We have announced that the fire in the chemical godown, known as Alam Traders, was brought under control at 2:20 pm today (Wednesday), " Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) Director (Operations and Maintenance) Lieutenant Colonel Tajul Islam Chowdhury told reporters at a briefing.
The fire that broke out at around 11.30 am at the garments factory building was doused on Tuesday; however, taming the flame in the chemical warehouse took longer time, said the fire service official.
"Starting a search operation in the warehouse was not possible yet due to the toxic effects of the chemicals," he said, adding that the chemicals were being removed by spraying water.
There were six to seven different types of chemicals, which were yet to be known, in the warehouse, he said, adding that the process was a time consuming one.
Drone footage reveals that the building was apparently damaged due to longstanding heat.
"At present, this is a significant amount of damage and conducting any search operation here is certainly risky," he said, adding that they might have to wait for another 24 hours or even 72 hours to confirm whether there were any individuals inside the godown.
The entrance to the warehouse known as Alam Traders was under lock and key indicating that there might have been no one inside, he added.
On Tuesday, a blast took place in the chemical godown and spread to the nearby four-storey building which housed a washing plant on the ground floor and apparel factories on the other floors.
A hazmat (hazardous materials) team of the FSCD and experts from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) visited the spot.
After visiting the spot, Social Welfare Adviser Sharmeen Soneya Murshid told reporters that those responsible for the deadly fire incident would be brought to justice.
She, however, emphasised relocating the chemical warehouses from the densely populated areas in the city to safer places.
Earlier in another briefing Assistant Director of the FSCD Kazi Nazmuzzaman said that the chemical warehouse was locked when the fire broke out which indicates that there might not have been anyone staying inside.
He said that the thick, toxic fumes from the burning chemicals made it nearly impossible for fire fighters to enter the building and extinguish the remaining flames.
During a visit there, people from different walks of life and locals were seen wearing face masks to avoid inhaling toxic fumes. FSCD alerted nearby people to be aware of the hazardous situation in neighbouring areas.
Relatives of the victims and workers who managed to flee the inferno have expressed anger saying that the doors to the rooftop were locked with two padlocks, preventing many from escaping. They said the deaths could have been avoided if the doors had been open.
"If I had been on the second floor, I would have been among the 16 who died. I was lucky, but those who worked with me perished in the fire. The factory owner is responsible for this." worker of the factory, Tariqul Islam, told the FE.
The dead bodies were taken to the morgue of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) while eight more people sustained burn injuries, three of whom were receiving treatment at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery (NIBPS).
Meanwhile, relatives of the missing garment workers thronged DMCH to find out their near and dear ones.
Relatives of Mukta Begum (14) and Mousumi Akter (15), two missing workers, at DMCH told the FE that they were yet to know about their duo's whereabouts.
Meanwhile, Adviser to the Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE) Brigadier General (R.) Dr M Sakhawat Hussain expressed deep condolence over the incident.
A seven-member investigation committee has been formed under the leadership of Lasker Tazul Islam, joint secretary of the MoLE, to ascertain the cause of the fire, the extent of damage, determine responsibilities and provide recommendations.
The committee will submit an objective report within the next 7 (seven) working days.
It will also submit a report to the ministry following an inquiry into the accident and recommendations to check recurrence of such incident.
Meanwhile, different originations and right bodies including Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies - BILS, Karmojibi Nari, Sramik Nirapotta Forum, expressed grief over the incident and asked for exemplary punishment of the people responsible. They also asked for proper treatment of the injured and compensation for the families of the deceased.
On behalf of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI), its President Taskeen Ahmed called upon all concerned to strictly follow the fire safety standards and regulations in construction process of buildings, especially industrial units, to prevent occurrence of such tragic incidents in future.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com
saif.febd@gmail.com
© 2025 - All Rights with The Financial Express
