Ashulia Fire: 7 killed, five bodies recovered from inside a truck
Photo: Courtesy, UNB.
The death toll from an explosion and subsequent fire involving a truck loaded with gas cylinders in front of a garment factory in the Jamgora area of Ashulia, Dhaka, has risen to seven. Several others were injured in the incident, with some reportedly undergoing treatment at hospitals in critical condition.
The incident occurred around 7 p.m. on Sunday (September 20) in front of a garment factory owned by Preeti Group in the Jamgora area, reported several local media.
Eyewitnesses and local residents said they suddenly heard several loud explosions in quick succession in the evening. The fire spread immediately after the explosions, triggering panic in the surrounding area.
Upon receiving the report, four units of the Fire Service arrived at the scene and brought the fire under control after nearly an hour of efforts.
After the fire was extinguished, a search was conducted inside the factory and in the surrounding areas. During the search, five charred bodies were recovered from inside a truck, said Tariqul Islam, officer-in-charge (OC) of Ashulia Police Station.
Earlier, during the explosion, a cylinder was hurled into a nearby clothing store, killing a woman named Zainab Begum.
Later, another victim, identified as Dulal, died while undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
With these deaths, the total number of fatalities in the incident has risen to seven.
Harun-or-Rashid, manager of the local Women and Children Hospital, said 10 burn patients had been admitted to the hospital. Six of them were in extremely critical condition and were referred to the burn unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
Hemayet, administrative officer of Preeti Group’s F&F factory, said no workers were trapped inside the factory. He said the fire started near one corner of the factory’s boundary wall after a gas cylinder exploded.
Mohammad Mominul Islam Bhuiyan, superintendent of Industrial Police-1, confirmed the deaths. He said rescue workers initially faced difficulties entering the entire area because of the intense fire and traffic congestion.
Fire Service officials said the fire spread rapidly, while firefighters faced difficulties reaching the scene because of severe traffic congestion and poor road conditions. The exact extent of the damage and the circumstances surrounding the explosion are subject to further investigation.
