At least nine people were killed and one other was injured in a devastating fire that broke out at a chemical warehouse and a garment factory in the Shialbari area of Mirpur, Dhaka, on Tuesday.
Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury, director of operations and maintenance at the Fire Service and Civil Defence Directorate, confirmed the fatalities during a press briefing around 4:00pm.
He stated that the bodies of nine victims were recovered from the second and third floors of the garment factory.
The cause of death is believed to be due to inhalation of toxic fumes from the fire at the adjacent chemical warehouse, though the exact details will be confirmed after an investigation.
Tajul also warned that the fire was still active within the chemical warehouse, making the area hazardous.
Authorities have advised the public to maintain at least a 300-yard distance from the site for safety.
The search and rescue operation is ongoing, with twelve firefighting units currently working to control the blaze.
The fire, which broke out around 11:40am, quickly spread throughout the building housing the garment factory and chemist warehouse.
Meanwhile, three individuals with burn injuries have been admitted to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, according to Shawon Bin Rahman, resident surgeon at the institute's emergency department.
The injured are Md Suruj, 30, who sustained 2% flame burns, and Md Mamun, 35, and Shohel, 32, both of whom are suffering from inhalation injuries.
鈥楢ll of them are currently under observation,鈥� Rahman said.
