United News of Bangladesh

The death toll from the devastating fire at a garment factory and a chemical warehouse in Shialbari area of Mirpur in Dhaka has risen to 16 as of Tuesday evening. Fire Service officials and others fear the toll may climb further. The fire, which began around 11:30 am, is yet to be fully brought under control, according to the Fire Service. The fire broke out at the four-story ‘Anwar Fashion’ garment factory and a neighbouring tin-shed chemical warehouse. Firefighters have been spraying water to contain the flames while conducting search operations inside the factory. By 4:15 pm, nine bodies had been recovered, a number that rose to 16 by 7:15 pm, confirmed the Fire Service. Lt. Col. Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury, director (operations and maintenance) at the Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) headquarters, told the media that the search is ongoing and the chemical warehouse remains extremely hazardous.