At least five people were killed in a fire at a gas lighter manufacturing factory in Keraniganj, on the outskirts of Dhaka, on Saturday.
The blaze broke out around 1:15 pm in the Kadamtali Golchattar area. Fire Service teams brought the fire under control after nearly one and a half hours, deploying seven units.
Authorities said the factory had previously caught fire twice and had even been sealed by the administration. Locals said around 35 to 40 workers were employed at the factory, though the exact number of missing persons is still unclear.
Dhaka District Additional Superintendent of Police Jahangir Alam said that as of 8:30 pm on Saturday, five bodies had been recovered from inside the factory, and efforts were ongoing to trace missing workers.
Residents said the factory experienced a similar fire around two years ago, after which it was shut down. However, it reportedly resumed operations about a month later under unclear circumstances. Workers had started their routine duties on Saturday morning when smoke was first noticed, quickly turning into a major fire.
Keraniganj Assistant Commissioner (Land) Aftab Ahmed visited the site and said the factory had been sealed in the past following earlier incidents, including one that reportedly caused fatalities.
"We are investigating how it resumed operations despite being sealed. A committee will be formed to find out," he said.
The Fire Service's Deputy Director (Dhaka), Saleh Uddin, said the factory lacked adequate fire safety measures. Preliminary findings suggest all the victims were workers, though it remains unclear whether any women or children were among them.
Fire officials added that the blaze spread rapidly due to the flammable materials used in gas lighter production, indicating possible negligence by the factory owners.
A local resident, Romiz Mia, said the factory was built with tin roofing, enclosed by walls, and contained eight storage units for raw materials. The factory is owned by Akram Mia of Zinzira, who reportedly went into hiding after the fire.
BNP leader Nipun Roy said strict action would be taken if any political links or involvement were found. Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain, after visiting the site, announced financial assistance for the families of the deceased. The Labour Ministry will provide Tk 200,000 to each victim's family, while all injured will receive free medical treatment.
