Dhaka, Bangladesh – A devastating fire that erupted at a chemical warehouse adjacent to a garment factory in Dhaka, Bangladesh, has claimed 16 lives and critically injured several others, officials reported. Authorities say the high death toll was caused primarily by inhalation of toxic gas and a locked door that blocked access to the roof, preventing workers from escaping the blaze.

The disaster, which occurred on Tuesday in Dhaka’s Mirpur district, has once again highlighted the ongoing challenges surrounding industrial safety in Bangladesh, despite improvements implemented after the 2012 Tazreen Fashions fire and the 2013 Rana Plaza collapse, which collectively killed over 1,200 workers and drew global attention.

Cause of Deaths: Toxic Gas and Locked Exits

Fire service official Talha Bin Zasim confirmed that most victims perished from inhaling toxic fumes rather than burns. “The victims could not escape because the roof door was locked,” he said, emphasizing that poor emergency access contributed significantly to the fatalities.

Thick black smoke continued to billow from the charred structure as firefighters conducted cooling operations a full day after the fire engulfed the four-story building and the adjacent chemical warehouse. Toxic gases and chemical fumes slowed rescue and firefighting efforts, complicating the operation for emergency personnel.

Desperate Families Seek Answers

Relatives of victims and missing workers gathered outside the damaged building, clutching photographs and pleading for information. Many bodies, badly burned, were sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for identification.

Mohammad Sohel, whose brother Mohammad Robin worked at the factory, expressed frustration over the lack of clear information. “Some tell us to go to the police, others to the hospitals, but no one gives us clear information. We are being misled again and again,” he said.

Government Launches Investigation

The Bangladesh government has launched an inquiry to determine the cause of the fire and hold accountable those responsible for safety violations. Authorities temporarily shut down surrounding factories as a precaution after many workers nearby fell ill from inhaling smoke.

A fire official with a megaphone warned the public to stay at least 300 meters away from the site, calling it a “very hazardous area.”

Garment Industry in Bangladesh: Economic Significance and Safety Concerns

Bangladesh is the world’s second-largest exporter of apparel, supplying major global retailers such as Walmart, Gap, and H&M. The sector employs approximately four million workers and generates around $40 billion annually, accounting for more than 10% of the country’s GDP.

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) confirmed that the facilities affected by Tuesday’s fire were not members of the BGMEA and were outside the formal, export-oriented sector. The association urged authorities to strengthen oversight and take strict measures against illegal warehouses operating without regulatory control.

Despite safety improvements in the formal garment sector, small factories and warehouses in Dhaka continue to operate under hazardous conditions. Fires in densely populated areas often result from faulty electrical wiring, gas leaks, or improper chemical storage.

Past Industrial Fires Highlight Ongoing Risks

Bangladesh has a long history of deadly industrial fires. In 2021, a fire at a food processing factory killed 54 workers, while a fire in the capital’s old quarter in 2019 claimed at least 70 lives. The repeated tragedies underscore the persistent need for stronger enforcement of workplace safety regulations.

As authorities continue to investigate the Dhaka blaze, questions remain about accountability and whether stricter monitoring of small-scale factories and warehouses can prevent future tragedies.