Bangladesh

Firefighters battle to douse Tongi fire

Staff Correspondent
Bangladeshi firefighters work to put out a huge fire at the site of an explosion in a factory in the key Bangladeshi garment manufacturing town of Tongi, just north of the capital Dhaka, on September 10, 2016. Photo: AFP
Bangladeshi firefighters work to put out a huge fire at the site of an explosion in a factory in the key Bangladeshi garment manufacturing town of Tongi, just north of the capital Dhaka, on September 10, 2016. Photo: AFP

A total of 25 firefighting units are still battling to douse the blaze at Tempaco Factory in Gazipur's Tongi area.

Smoke and blaze were seen inside the aluminum packaging factory on Sunday morning.

A fire, which was apparently triggered by a boiler explosion at the four-storey factory, caused parts of the building to collapse, sparking fears that some people could be trapped inside.

Kaliakoir fire service leader Saiful Islam, who is now at the scene, said the factory fire has not been doused completely. However, intensity of the fire has been reduced. Black smoke gushing out from the factory and scarcity of water hampered the dousing process, he added.

Gazipur fire service deputy director Aktaruzzaman said the factory fire is under control. Fire was seen at different parts on the factory.

The fire service sources also said rescue operation inside the factory has not begun yet. 

Death toll in the fire incident hit 25 as another victim Ripon Das, 35, succumbed to his injuries at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital, said police inspector Bacchu Mia of the DMCH police camp.

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