Print: 29 Oct 2025
From Mirpur to Nimtoli: Bangladesh’s fatal factory fires
At least 16 people were killed and several others injured when a fire broke out at a readymade garment factory and an adjacent chemical warehouse in Shialbari area of the capital’s Mirpur on Tuesday.
Eyewitnesses said the blaze began around 11:40am in the ground-floor wash unit of the four-storey “Anwar Fashion” garment factory and quickly spread to the nearby tin-roofed chemical warehouse, triggering loud explosions that engulfed the entire building.
Fire Service sources said, “The chemical warehouse fire is still not under control. Rescue teams are continuing efforts to fully douse the blaze at the garment factory while conducting search operations inside the building.” Authorities have warned that the casualty count could rise as operations continue.
The incident has once again exposed serious safety lapses and regulatory loopholes regarding chemical warehouses in the country. Many such facilities store highly flammable substances without adequate fireproofing, proper ventilation, or emergency exits. Lack of regular inspections, poor adherence to safety standards, and insufficient fire-fighting preparedness put workers and surrounding communities at grave risk.
Bangladesh has witnessed several deadly industrial fires in recent years, reflecting a long-standing pattern of negligence:
Nimtoli fire in 2010
On 3 June 2010, a fire originating from a chemical warehouse in old Dhaka’s Nimtoli area killed at least 124 people.
The blaze, fueled by perfumes, chemicals, and other flammable products, spread rapidly through densely packed residential buildings. Narrow lanes and old staircases hampered firefighting efforts, trapping many residents inside.
Churihatta fire in 2019
On 20 February 2019, a chemical warehouse fire at Churihatta Intersection, old Dhaka, triggered a massive explosion, engulfing three surrounding multi-storey buildings. The fire killed 71 people and injured scores more.
Investigations found that hundreds of flammable substances were stored on the first floor, contributing to the intensity of the blaze.
Narayanganj juice factory fire in 2021
On 9 July 2021, a fire at Rupganj Sejan Juice Factory claimed at least 52 lives and injured 50 others. The blaze originated from the second floor of the seven-storey building in Bhulta union, Rupganj upazila.
Lalbagh Plastic Factory in 2022
Six bodies were recovered from a plastic factory fire in Lalbagh on 15 August 2022. Ten firefighting units brought the blaze under control after about two and a half hours. The fire was believed to have started from a gas cylinder explosion at a nearby restaurant.
Tongi chemical warehouse fire in 2025
On 22 September, a fire broke out at a chemical warehouse at Sahara Market, Bscic Industrial City, in Gazipur's Tongi. Six people, including four fire service officials, sustained severe burn injuries, and three firefighters and one civilian died.
The blaze originated at the Famous Chemical warehouse, where chemicals used in garment factories were stored without adequate safety measures.
These incidents highlight the urgent need for stricter fire safety regulations, regular inspections, and emergency preparedness, particularly in facilities storing chemicals and flammable materials, to prevent further loss of life.
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From Mirpur to Nimtoli: Bangladesh’s fatal factory fires
At least 16 people were killed and several others injured when a fire broke out at a readymade garment factory and an adjacent chemical warehouse in Shialbari area of the capital’s Mirpur on Tuesday.
Eyewitnesses said the blaze began around 11:40am in the ground-floor wash unit of the four-storey “Anwar Fashion” garment factory and quickly spread to the nearby tin-roofed chemical warehouse, triggering loud explosions that engulfed the entire building.
Fire Service sources said, “The chemical warehouse fire is still not under control. Rescue teams are continuing efforts to fully douse the blaze at the garment factory while conducting search operations inside the building.” Authorities have warned that the casualty count could rise as operations continue.
The incident has once again exposed serious safety lapses and regulatory loopholes regarding chemical warehouses in the country. Many such facilities store highly flammable substances without adequate fireproofing, proper ventilation, or emergency exits. Lack of regular inspections, poor adherence to safety standards, and insufficient fire-fighting preparedness put workers and surrounding communities at grave risk.
Bangladesh has witnessed several deadly industrial fires in recent years, reflecting a long-standing pattern of negligence:
Nimtoli fire in 2010
On 3 June 2010, a fire originating from a chemical warehouse in old Dhaka’s Nimtoli area killed at least 124 people.
The blaze, fueled by perfumes, chemicals, and other flammable products, spread rapidly through densely packed residential buildings. Narrow lanes and old staircases hampered firefighting efforts, trapping many residents inside.
Churihatta fire in 2019
On 20 February 2019, a chemical warehouse fire at Churihatta Intersection, old Dhaka, triggered a massive explosion, engulfing three surrounding multi-storey buildings. The fire killed 71 people and injured scores more.
Investigations found that hundreds of flammable substances were stored on the first floor, contributing to the intensity of the blaze.
Narayanganj juice factory fire in 2021
On 9 July 2021, a fire at Rupganj Sejan Juice Factory claimed at least 52 lives and injured 50 others. The blaze originated from the second floor of the seven-storey building in Bhulta union, Rupganj upazila.
Lalbagh Plastic Factory in 2022
Six bodies were recovered from a plastic factory fire in Lalbagh on 15 August 2022. Ten firefighting units brought the blaze under control after about two and a half hours. The fire was believed to have started from a gas cylinder explosion at a nearby restaurant.
Tongi chemical warehouse fire in 2025
On 22 September, a fire broke out at a chemical warehouse at Sahara Market, Bscic Industrial City, in Gazipur's Tongi. Six people, including four fire service officials, sustained severe burn injuries, and three firefighters and one civilian died.
The blaze originated at the Famous Chemical warehouse, where chemicals used in garment factories were stored without adequate safety measures.
These incidents highlight the urgent need for stricter fire safety regulations, regular inspections, and emergency preparedness, particularly in facilities storing chemicals and flammable materials, to prevent further loss of life.