16 workers die in Mirpur fire as locked roof exit, toxic smoke trap victims

Sixteen workers lost their lives in a devastating fire that engulfed a garment factory and an adjacent chemical warehouse—identified as Cosmic Pharma—in Shialbari, Mirpur, after being trapped on the upper floors with no escape route, officials confirmed Tuesday night.

At a press briefing on rescue and firefighting operations, Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury, Director (Operation and Maintenance) of the Fire Service and Civil Defence Department, revealed that all 16 bodies were recovered from the second and third floors of the garment factory building. A civilian volunteer sustained injuries during rescue efforts, though no firefighters were harmed.

“The intensity of the fire on the ground floor, combined with a roof access gate locked with two padlocks, left workers with no way out,” Chowdhury said. “They were completely trapped between floors—unable to descend due to flames and unable to reach the roof for safety.”

Many victims likely lost consciousness almost immediately due to toxic fumes released during a flashover in the fire’s early stages. “White smoke and highly toxic gases were produced by the chemical explosion,” Chowdhury explained. “It’s probable that people became senseless within moments and couldn’t escape.”

The condition of the recovered bodies is so severe that visual identification is impossible. “DNA testing will be required to confirm identities,” he added. The remains are being transported one by one to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Firefighters deployed 12 units to battle the blaze. While the fire in the garment factory section has been fully extinguished, the chemical godown remains unstable, with flames and thick smoke still rising. “It may take more time to bring the situation under control,” Chowdhury warned.

The warehouse reportedly stored six to seven types of chemicals, including hydrogen peroxide. Firefighters used powder, water, and enzyme-based agents to combat the flames—standard protocols for chemical fires.

Critically, Chowdhury confirmed the facility had no fire safety measures, no emergency plan, and no operating licence. “There was zero compliance with safety regulations,” he said. Locals could not even identify the name of the garment factory, underscoring the opacity of operations at the site.

The Fire Service received the first alert at approximately 11:40 am. The first unit arrived at 11:56 am, followed by four more; seven additional units were later deployed as the situation escalated.

The tragedy has reignited urgent calls for stricter enforcement of industrial safety standards—particularly in mixed-use buildings housing both garment production and hazardous materials.