Rupnagar chemical warehouse still smoulders a day after deadly fire
Smoke was still billowing from the burnt chemical warehouse in Dhaka's Rupnagar area this morning, a day after the devastating fire that killed at least 16 people.
Firefighters said the blaze was under control but not yet fully doused. Toxic fumes from the charred warehouse reportedly made several workers of an adjacent garment factory fall sick as they arrived for work in the morning.
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While visiting the area around 11:00am, our correspondent saw smoke was still seen coming out of the charred remains of the chemical godown.
Many workers of the nearby factories were found outside their buildings as they were feeling unwell inside.
Bristy Akter, 25, a worker of K-Tex Industries located in the same area, said, "We came to the factory around 8:00am and worked until about 10:00am."
"After that, the authorities shut the factory for today after receiving information that workers at the nearby Rising Fashion factory had fallen sick from inhaling toxic fumes," she added.
According to the Fire Service and Civil Defence, at least 16 bodies have so far been recovered from a garment factory that caught fire from the chemical warehouse.
Officials suspect the victims died of suffocation caused by toxic smoke and gas.
Several others were injured or burnt in the fire, three of whom were admitted to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery.
Fire service officials said at least 12 fire engines rushed to the spot after receiving the fire report and brought the blaze under control after a frantic effort.
However, due to the heavy smoke and presence of chemicals, rescuers struggled to enter the building and conduct operations inside.
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