At Least Nine Dead in Fire at Chemical Godown and Garment Factory in Dhaka
Dhaka, Oct 15 (TheTrendingPeople) – At least nine people were killed and several others injured on Tuesday after a massive fire broke out at a building housing a chemical godown and a garment factory in the Shialbari area of Mirpur, Dhaka, local authorities confirmed.
According to Lt Colonel Tajul Islam Chowdhury, Director of Operations and Maintenance of the Fire Service and Civil Defence, the bodies of nine victims have been recovered so far. “The search operation is still ongoing,” he told the United News of Bangladesh (UNB).
Cause and Hazards
Chowdhury said the victims are suspected to have died due to toxic gas inhalation following a chemical explosion. “The exact cause will be known after investigation,” he added. Authorities have warned that the area remains extremely hazardous, as the fire at the chemical godown has yet to be brought under control. Residents and bystanders have been urged to stay at least 300 yards away from the site.
Firefighting Efforts
The fire reportedly erupted around 11:40 am local time, spreading rapidly through the building. Seven firefighting units rushed to the scene to contain the blaze. Talha Bin Jashim, an official from the Fire Service and Civil Defence media cell, said the situation remains critical, especially due to the chemicals stored in the godown.
Three injured individuals – Mamun (35), Sohel (32), and Suruj (30) – were rushed to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery. Dr. Shaon Bin Rahman, resident surgeon at the hospital, stated that they were rescued in an unconscious state and immediately admitted to the emergency unit of the Burn Institute.
Context and Previous Incidents
The incident comes days after a separate fire at an illegal battery recycling factory in Narsingdi, Bangladesh, left seven workers with burn injuries. Mohammad Emdadul Haque, officer-in-charge of Narsingdi Sadar Police Station, reported that the explosion occurred at an unauthorised lead-extraction factory operating in Panchdona area. Locals said the facility had been functioning without proper approval for a long time.
Why It Matters
The Mirpur tragedy highlights ongoing safety lapses in industrial and chemical storage facilities in Bangladesh. Experts say the lack of proper safety measures and oversight in factories storing hazardous chemicals often leads to fatal incidents. Public safety, emergency preparedness, and strict enforcement of industrial regulations remain key challenges in densely populated urban areas like Dhaka.
The incident also raises concerns about the safety of garment workers, who constitute a significant portion of the workforce in Bangladesh’s industrial sector, reinforcing the need for strict regulatory inspections and enforcement of fire and chemical safety standards.
Local and National Impact
The fire has drawn national attention and prompted authorities to reevaluate emergency response protocols for chemical-related incidents. Local residents have been evacuated from nearby buildings as a precautionary measure, and city officials have urged Dhaka residents to remain vigilant.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople.com
The Mirpur fire is a stark reminder of the importance of industrial safety, proper chemical storage, and rapid emergency response. With lives lost and multiple injuries reported, it underscores the need for stricter enforcement of safety regulations and a comprehensive review of hazardous material management across Dhaka and Bangladesh as a whole.