TDS Desk:

At least 16 people were killed and several others injured in a fire that broke out at a chemical warehouse and a factory in Shialbari, Mirpur in the capital on Tuesday (October 14).

Fire service officials confirmed the death toll at a press briefing this evening.

The identities of the victims are yet to be known. The injured have been admitted to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery and the bodies of the deceased have been sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Photo: Collected

The blaze, which started at around 11:45am, was brought under control after about three hours of effort.

Fire Service and Civil Defence Director (Operations and Maintenance) Lt Col Tajul Islam Chowdhury said 12 firefighting units have been dispatched to the scene.

Members from the Bangladesh Army, police and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have joined the rescue operation with the fire service as several people reportedly remain missing.

Meanwhile, in a condolence message, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus expressed grief over the deaths and directed the authorities concerned to investigate the cause of the fire and provide necessary assistance to the victims.

Talha Bin Jashim, an official at the Fire Service and Civil Defence’s media cell, told journalists “The fire broke out at two establishments: a factory and a chemical warehouse.

“The factory is a seven-storey building, and the fire originated on its third floor.”

He added that bleaching powder, plastic and hydrogen peroxide were stored inside the warehouse.

Initially, five firefighting units were dispatched, and later more units joined the operation, said Talha.