Hazmat team joins as flames persist for second day

A massive blaze that tore through a garment factory and adjoining chemical warehouse in Dhaka’s Mirpur area has left at least 16 people dead and several others injured, as toxic fumes continue to hinder firefighting efforts for more than 24 hours.

The fire broke out late Tuesday morning at a building in the Shialbari area of Rupnagar, where flammable industrial chemicals were being stored without apparent safety clearance. Fire officials said the fumes from burning chemicals made entry extremely difficult for rescue teams. Several victims reportedly died from inhaling the poisonous smoke rather than from burns.

Flames persist despite round-the-clock operation
Unsafe storage under probe after deaths

According to the Fire Service and Civil Defence, 12 units were deployed immediately after the fire began around 11:40 a.m. Tuesday. Despite overnight operations, small pockets of fire remain active inside the warehouse, forcing authorities to summon a specialized HazMat team to neutralize the toxic gas.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as workers tried to flee the upper floors. A locked rooftop exit reportedly trapped several people, contributing to the high death toll. Officials confirmed that some of the deceased were found near that door.

Deputy Assistant Director Mohammad Shahadat Hossain of the Fire Service said the warehouse had been storing chemicals, including bleaching agents and plastics, “in a densely populated area with no ventilation.” The department has launched a full investigation to determine whether the facility was licensed.

Officials warned that the remaining chemical reactions could take another day or two to stabilize completely. Locals have been asked to avoid the area as fumes still pose health risks.

Residents and business owners nearby have demanded a crackdown on unregistered chemical stores in residential zones—a problem long linked to fatal urban fires in Bangladesh.