Dhaka, Oct 14 (V7N) — At least nine people have been killed and several others injured in a devastating fire that broke out at a garment factory and a chemical godown named Cosmic Pharma in Shialbari, Mirpur, on Tuesday morning (October 14).

According to Fire Service Director (Operations) Lt. Col. Tajul Islam, the blaze began around 11:40 a.m. and quickly spread through the buildings. “The fire is still burning inside the chemical godown. Bodies were found on the second and third floors of the garment factory,” he told reporters during a briefing.

Eight units of the fire service are working to bring the flames under control, but officials said the situation remains partially contained due to the presence of large quantities of flammable chemicals.

Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud explosion inside the garment factory moments before the fire erupted. The flames rapidly engulfed the adjoining chemical warehouse, creating dense smoke visible from several kilometers away.

Following the incident, the army was deployed to manage the growing crowd of onlookers. They were later joined by students from nearby private universities, as well as police, RAB, BGB, and volunteers, who assisted in rescue and crowd-control efforts.

As of Tuesday afternoon, firefighters are continuing operations to fully douse the flames and search for any remaining victims.

END/SMA/AJ