“His phone is still ringing, but no one answers,” said Amanullah, whose friend Sarowar, recently hired as a helper in the factory’s washing section, has not been seen since the fire broke out in Mirpur.
A deadly blaze tore through a chemical warehouse and adjoining garment factory in Dhaka’s Mirpur–Rupnagar area on Tuesday, killing at least 16 people and leaving several others missing as grief-stricken families crowded the scene clutching photographs of their loved ones.
The Fire Service received reports of the fire around 11:45am at a chemical warehouse operated by Shah Alam Chemicals in Shialbari, alongside an adjacent garment factory. The warehouse was initially identified as Cosmic Pharma, though later signage read Shah Alam Chemicals. Locals also referred to it as Alam Traders. The garment factory was variably identified as Arman Garments or GM Fashions.
Flames quickly engulfed the buildings, sending thick black smoke across the neighbourhood and forcing hundreds of residents to flee. Twelve firefighting units were eventually deployed. While the fire in the garment factory was brought under control by early evening, flames continued to consume the chemical warehouse for several hours.
Firefighters reported that workers were trapped on upper floors, unable to evacuate downward due to flames and upward because rooftop doors were locked. Rescuers suspect that some workers succumbed to toxic fumes before the fire reached the upper levels. By evening, the Fire Service confirmed the recovery of 16 bodies, all from the second and third floors of the garment factory. Many victims remain unidentified, and several others are still missing.
Standing at the scene, Fire Service Director Lt Col Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury described the scene as a “death trap” caused by unsafe chemical storage and lack of emergency exits. “The scale of the chemical explosion and the toxic gases caused workers to lose consciousness instantly. They couldn’t move, neither up nor down,” he said.
By 7pm, a strong chemical odour lingered over the site. Police, assisted by local volunteers, cordoned off the area to prevent residents from entering the danger zone. Authorities warned that the illegal storage of industrial chemicals in a densely populated area may have intensified the disaster.
When firefighters finally broke through the reinforced shutters of the chemical warehouse, thick plumes of smoke were still rising from melted plastic drums and scattered barrels of industrial solvents. “It was like entering a furnace,” said a firefighter. “The fumes were so strong that we had to rotate teams every few minutes. There were chemicals stored everywhere—no ventilation, no safety signs.”
Residents said they had repeatedly complained to authorities about the warehouse. “We could smell the chemicals every night,” said Abdul Karim, a nearby resident. “We told the ward office, but nobody listened. Now 16 people are dead.”
Investigations revealed that neither the garment factory nor the chemical warehouse had fire safety clearance, evacuation plans, or official approval. An officer from Rupnagar Police Station said preliminary findings show the warehouse lacked proper licences, while the factory had only one staircase.
Over the past decade, Dhaka has seen a series of deadly industrial fires, many linked to illegal chemical storage, highlighting chronic enforcement failures. A senior Fire Service official said, “Every time we respond to these fires, we issue warnings. But after a few weeks, business goes on as usual. There’s no accountability.”
By nightfall, relatives continued to wait outside the Dhaka Medical College morgue, hoping for identification of the charred remains. Authorities said DNA testing may be required. Sajeda Begum, whose nephew worked in the garments section, said: “We don’t want compensation; we want punishment for those responsible.”
The Dhaka North City Corporation said a joint inspection committee would begin a safety audit of warehouses and small factories in Mirpur starting Wednesday.
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“His phone is still ringing, but no one answers,” said Amanullah, whose friend Sarowar, recently hired as a helper in the factory’s washing section, has not been seen since the fire broke out in Mirpur.
A deadly blaze tore through a chemical warehouse and adjoining garment factory in Dhaka’s Mirpur–Rupnagar area on Tuesday, killing at least 16 people and leaving several others missing as grief-stricken families crowded the scene clutching photographs of their loved ones.
The Fire Service received reports of the fire around 11:45am at a chemical warehouse operated by Shah Alam Chemicals in Shialbari, alongside an adjacent garment factory. The warehouse was initially identified as Cosmic Pharma, though later signage read Shah Alam Chemicals. Locals also referred to it as Alam Traders. The garment factory was variably identified as Arman Garments or GM Fashions.
Flames quickly engulfed the buildings, sending thick black smoke across the neighbourhood and forcing hundreds of residents to flee. Twelve firefighting units were eventually deployed. While the fire in the garment factory was brought under control by early evening, flames continued to consume the chemical warehouse for several hours.
Firefighters reported that workers were trapped on upper floors, unable to evacuate downward due to flames and upward because rooftop doors were locked. Rescuers suspect that some workers succumbed to toxic fumes before the fire reached the upper levels. By evening, the Fire Service confirmed the recovery of 16 bodies, all from the second and third floors of the garment factory. Many victims remain unidentified, and several others are still missing.
Standing at the scene, Fire Service Director Lt Col Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury described the scene as a “death trap” caused by unsafe chemical storage and lack of emergency exits. “The scale of the chemical explosion and the toxic gases caused workers to lose consciousness instantly. They couldn’t move, neither up nor down,” he said.
By 7pm, a strong chemical odour lingered over the site. Police, assisted by local volunteers, cordoned off the area to prevent residents from entering the danger zone. Authorities warned that the illegal storage of industrial chemicals in a densely populated area may have intensified the disaster.
When firefighters finally broke through the reinforced shutters of the chemical warehouse, thick plumes of smoke were still rising from melted plastic drums and scattered barrels of industrial solvents. “It was like entering a furnace,” said a firefighter. “The fumes were so strong that we had to rotate teams every few minutes. There were chemicals stored everywhere—no ventilation, no safety signs.”
Residents said they had repeatedly complained to authorities about the warehouse. “We could smell the chemicals every night,” said Abdul Karim, a nearby resident. “We told the ward office, but nobody listened. Now 16 people are dead.”
Investigations revealed that neither the garment factory nor the chemical warehouse had fire safety clearance, evacuation plans, or official approval. An officer from Rupnagar Police Station said preliminary findings show the warehouse lacked proper licences, while the factory had only one staircase.
Over the past decade, Dhaka has seen a series of deadly industrial fires, many linked to illegal chemical storage, highlighting chronic enforcement failures. A senior Fire Service official said, “Every time we respond to these fires, we issue warnings. But after a few weeks, business goes on as usual. There’s no accountability.”
By nightfall, relatives continued to wait outside the Dhaka Medical College morgue, hoping for identification of the charred remains. Authorities said DNA testing may be required. Sajeda Begum, whose nephew worked in the garments section, said: “We don’t want compensation; we want punishment for those responsible.”
The Dhaka North City Corporation said a joint inspection committee would begin a safety audit of warehouses and small factories in Mirpur starting Wednesday.
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