The footwear factory that caught fire in Savar’s Ashulia, killing at least three people on Wednesday, was operating without a permit, according to the upazila administration.
Savar UNO Mazharul Islam confirmed the matter to Dhaka Tribune on Thursday, a day after his visit to the factory.
“Locals informed us of the various irregularities at the factory,” he said, adding that the factory authorities had also allowed child labour.
“We did not find any fire safety measures there either,” he said.
The UNO said legal action will be taken against the factory, and that the families of the deceased will be given financial aid.
Three, including a 15-year-old girl, were killed and at least 12 were injured in the massive fire at Uniworld Footwear factory beside the Rupayan Mart building in the Jamgara area at around 5pm on Wednesday.
Two of the deceased were been identified as--Sumaiya Akhter, 15, the daughter of Imrat Hossain from Tangail and Shahanara Begum, 45, the wife of Hamid Mia from Khulna, confirmed Ashulia Police Sub Inspector Sudip Kumar.
At least seven firefighting units toiled for an hour and managed to bring the fire under control.