A fire broke out at a garment factory in Jamgara, Ashulia, on Sunday evening after a gas cylinder inside a lorry exploded within the premises of the S Sohee Industrial Park.
The incident occurred at a premises adjacent to the Preeti Group factory in the industrial park.
At least 10 people were injured in the incident, while four firefighting units were working to bring the blaze under control, as of the latest update.
The fire broke out in the Jamgara Chourasta area at around 6:45pm on Sunday.
Shahabuddin, senior station officer of Zirabo Fire Service, said firefighters had reached the scene and were assessing the situation before taking further steps.
“No assessment of the damage can be made at this moment,” he said.
Hemayet Uddin, admin manager of Preeti Group’s F&F factory, said the fire broke out after a cylinder exploded beside the boundary wall of the factory.
“No workers are trapped inside the factory. Everyone had already left the premises,” he said.
Witness Rony said several people were injured by the blast and fire.
“I personally rescued two burn victims and a seriously injured worker and sent them to hospital. At least five others, including rickshaw pullers on the road beside the factory, were injured,” he said.
He said metal fragments from a boiler or pipes were blown into nearby homes and onto the road following the explosion, causing the injuries.
Harun-or-Rashid, manager of Ashulia Women and Children Hospital, said five burn victims had been admitted to the hospital so far.
“Two of them are in critical condition. As their bodies were extensively burned, they were immediately referred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment,” he said.
Mohammad Mominul Islam Bhuiyan, superintendent of Savar and Ashulia Industrial Police-1, said rescue and firefighting operations were underway.
“It has not yet been confirmed whether the explosion originated from a boiler or a gas cylinder. Due to the intensity of the fire, rescuers are unable to enter the premises fully at this stage,” he said.
He said the exact number of casualties would be confirmed after the situation was assessed.