Dhaka, Oct 15 (V7N) — Even after 24 hours, the devastating fire at a chemical godown in Mirpur’s Shialbari area has not been completely extinguished. Thick smoke continues to billow from the damaged building, while the toxic odor of chemicals lingers in the surrounding area, posing serious health hazards.

Fire Service Assistant Director Kazi Nazmuzzaman, who inspected the scene on Wednesday (October 15) afternoon, said the presence of highly flammable chemicals has made the operation extremely difficult.

“The issue of chemicals is dangerous; it takes time to extinguish such fires. It is not safe to enter the factory right now. We can confirm whether there are any more bodies only after the fire is fully put out,”
he told reporters.

Meanwhile, Women and Children Affairs Advisor Sharmin S Murshid visited the site and said that chemicals were being stored illegally in several factories and godowns in the Mirpur area.

“An investigation will be conducted, and those responsible will be brought to justice soon,”
she stated, adding that the government would take immediate steps to remove illegal factories from densely populated areas to prevent further tragedies.

Earlier, the fire broke out at the Shah Alam Chemical Godown in Rupnagar, Shialbari around 11:30 am on Tuesday. So far, 16 bodies have been recovered from the site.

END/SMA/AJ