Dhaka Factory Blaze Kills 16, Chemical Fire Sparks Horror

At least 16 people lost their lives Tuesday as a devastating fire tore through a chemical and garments factory in Dhaka, Bangladesh’s bustling capital. The blaze erupted in a warehouse storing chemicals before spreading rapidly to an adjacent multi-storey garments facility.

The scene outside the factory was chaotic. Relatives of the missing clutched photos of loved ones, calling out for information amid a cloud of smoke and ash. Abdur Rahman, 19, searched frantically for his brother Robin. “I heard from a colleague who escaped through a window that my brother didn’t make it,” he said, his voice heavy with grief.

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Witnesses described the disaster as sudden and terrifying. Tahmina Sharmin, 34, recounted a loud explosion followed by flames engulfing the area. “People didn’t know what to do at first. I tried to help before the fire crews arrived,” she said.

The blaze proved particularly deadly due to highly flammable chemicals stored in the warehouse, causing severe inhalation injuries among victims. Emergency teams have yet to enter the chemical storage section, delaying full assessment of the damage.

Bangladesh has long struggled with fire safety standards. Last year alone, over 26,500 fires were reported across the country. In 2021, a similar factory fire claimed 52 lives, while the deadliest blaze in 2012 killed at least 111 people in a garment factory on Dhaka’s outskirts.

As the city mourns, the incident underscores the urgent need for stricter safety regulations and enforcement in industrial zones, highlighting risks that continue to endanger workers daily.