The fire at Drug International's pharmaceutical factory in Tongi, Gazipur, was brought under control at 1:35pm on Wednesday after 20 Fire Service units joined a multi-agency operation to contain the blaze.
The operation involved the army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), police and members of Gazipur City Corporation, alongside the Fire Service.
Fire Service Director General Brigadier General Sultanul Afrain Zunaid disclosed the information at a press briefing at the scene at 2:10pm on Wednesday.
Sultanul Afrain Zunaid said firefighting operations began on an urgent basis under the prime minister's instructions. Although the fire was brought under control at 1:35pm through the efforts of 20 Fire Service units, more time would be needed to extinguish it completely.
The fire broke out on the 4th and 2nd floors of the factory's 7-storey building. The blaze affected emergency medicines, including injections, causing breathing difficulties. No casualties were reported, but a Fire Service personnel member suffered breathing difficulties, and arrangements were made for his treatment.
He said the factory is located on Squib Road in the Tongi industrial area. The fire originated on the 4th floor of the 7-storey Unit 2 building at around 10:15am on Wednesday.
Factory workers initially tried to extinguish the fire using the factory's own firefighting arrangements. However, as the blaze intensified and the situation went out of control, the Fire Service was notified.
After receiving the information, Fire Service units from Tongi, Savar, Gazipur, Ashulia and Dhaka arrived at the scene. Army personnel, BGB members, police and members of Gazipur City Corporation also worked alongside the Fire Service to bring the blaze under control.
The incident disrupted public transport and normal life within an area of around 2km surrounding the factory.
Drug International Manager Shafiqul Islam Badal said the factory initially attempted to control the fire using its own arrangements. However, the intensity of the blaze made assistance from the Fire Service and other relevant forces necessary.