The death toll from a fire at a readymade garment factory in Jamgara of Ashulia has risen to eight after another victim died of his injuries on Sunday night.
The victim, a vegetable vendor whose identity could not immediately be known, succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, said Shahabuddin, senior station officer of Zirabo Fire Service.
The fire broke out at the F&F factory of Preeti Group in the Jamgara Chowrasta area at around 6:45pm on Sunday.
According to the Fire Service, the fire was triggered when a gas cylinder exploded while being unloaded from a covered van.
Four firefighting units rushed to the scene and brought the blaze under control around 3:30am.
Shahabuddin said firefighters struggled to reach the factory because of severe traffic congestion and poor road conditions, where construction work for the Ashulia Elevated Expressway is underway.
Litton Mia, a line man at a nearby garment factory and a witness, said the fire spread through the factory following a loud explosion of a gas cylinder.
The authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the fire.