A massive explosion followed by a fire broke out at a chemical warehouse inside a garment factory in Tongi, Gazipur, on Monday afternoon. Seven units of the Fire Service rushed to the scene to bring the blaze under control.
According to reports, while firefighting operations were underway, a second explosion occurred inside the warehouse, leaving five people — including four members of the Fire Service — injured.
The incident took place around 4:30 pm on Monday (22 September) at the Sahara Market area of Tongi BSCIC Industrial Estate.
The injured have been identified as Fire Service officer Jannatul Naeem, firefighters Md. Shamim, Md. Nurul Huda and Md. Joy Hasan. The identity of an injured factory official has not yet been confirmed.
Eyewitnesses and Fire Service officials said the initial blast prompted people inside to rush out. As firefighters worked to control the blaze, another chemical drum exploded, injuring the factory official along with the four fire personnel. All five were later taken to a hospital in Dhaka for treatment.
Abdul Mannan, Deputy Assistant Director of Fire Service (Dhaka Zone-3), said seven units responded to the fire, three of whose personnel were injured during the operation. He added that the fire was mostly under control, but the cause of the explosion and the extent of damage are yet to be determined.
