Smoke billowed into the Dhaka sky on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, as a devastating fire broke out at a garment factory and an adjacent chemical warehouse in the bustling Mirpur area of Bangladesh’s capital. The inferno, which began around midday on the third floor of the multi-story garment building, quickly spread to the neighboring warehouse, leaving a trail of destruction, heartbreak, and urgent questions about industrial safety standards in one of the world’s largest garment-producing nations.
By nightfall, officials confirmed that at least 16 people had died and several more were injured. The death toll could rise further, as rescue operations—still ongoing in the charred ruins—continued into the evening. “Sixteen bodies have been recovered from the second and third floors of the garment factory,” Fire Service Director Tajul Islam Chowdhury told Reuters, grimly adding that more victims might be found as the search pressed on.
Firefighters arrived at the scene within minutes of the first alarm, but the blaze had already taken a deadly hold. According to the state-run BSS news agency and multiple local reports, the fire began on the third floor of what was described as a seven-story building, before leaping to the chemical warehouse next door. That warehouse was stocked with hazardous materials—bleaching powder, plastic, and hydrogen peroxide among them—which fueled the flames and, according to fire officials, caused a chemical explosion. The resulting flashover released toxic gas, which is suspected to have rendered many workers unconscious and trapped them inside.
“The chemical explosion caused a flashover that released toxic gas, leaving many unconscious and trapping them inside. They couldn’t escape either upward or downward,” Chowdhury explained to Reuters. The grim reality was compounded by the shocking discovery that the garment factory had a tin roof and locked grilled doors, making escape impossible for many. “The workers couldn’t reach the upper level,” he said. The victims were so badly burned that DNA testing may be the only way to identify them.
Rescue teams, including units from the Bangladesh Army, police, and border guards, joined firefighters in the frantic search for survivors and victims. Tearful relatives gathered outside, some clutching photographs and desperately seeking news of loved ones. In front of the blackened ruins, one father’s anguish was palpable. “My daughter worked there. When I heard about the fire, I came running. But I still haven’t found her... I just want my daughter back,” he told Reuters.
The cause of the blaze remains under investigation, but early findings paint a troubling picture. Neither the garment factory nor the chemical warehouse had a fire safety plan or the necessary approvals to operate, officials said. Chowdhury noted, “The police and the army are trying to locate [the owners].” When pressed about the warehouse’s license, he replied, “We don’t know about the license yet. However, as far as we have heard, it is illegal. We will be able to confirm once the investigation is completed.”
Bangladesh’s interim government head, Muhammad Yunus, expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and urged authorities to investigate thoroughly and ensure that victims and their families receive all necessary assistance. In his condolence message, Yunus called for action: “I urge authorities to investigate the cause of the fire and to ensure that victims and their families receive all necessary assistance.”
For many in Bangladesh and beyond, the Mirpur fire is a horrifying echo of previous industrial disasters that have haunted the country’s garment sector. The industry, which employs roughly 4 million people—most of them women—and generates about $40 billion annually from exports mainly to the United States and Europe, has repeatedly been rocked by fatal accidents. In 2012, a fire at Tazreen Fashions killed 112 workers. The following year, the eight-story Rana Plaza building collapsed, claiming 1,135 lives and sparking global outrage over the human cost of cheap clothing.
Despite international pressure and promises of reform, deadly incidents have continued. Poor fire and building safety standards, lax monitoring, and violations of building codes are frequently cited as underlying causes. According to Reuters, dozens of such disasters occur in Bangladesh each year, tarnishing the reputation of a sector that makes up more than 10% of the country’s gross domestic product.
The Mirpur fire has once again put a harsh spotlight on these systemic issues. As Talha Bin Jashim, a fire department official, explained to The Straits Times, the fire started on the third floor of the factory and spread rapidly due to the presence of flammable chemicals. Twelve firefighting units battled the flames for nearly three hours before bringing the factory blaze under control, though the warehouse continued to burn for some time afterward.
Officials have not yet identified the factory’s owners, and the search for accountability is underway. Members of the army and police are actively looking for those responsible, while the community mourns and waits for answers. The full scale of the tragedy may not be known for days, as rescue workers carefully comb through debris and authorities work to identify the dead.
For the families of the victims, the tragedy is personal and immediate. For Bangladesh’s garment industry, it is another painful chapter in a long history of preventable loss. The question lingers: will this latest disaster finally prompt meaningful change in the country’s industrial safety culture?
As the smoke clears over Mirpur, the grief remains raw, and the demand for accountability grows louder. The world watches, hoping that this time, the lessons will not be forgotten.