8 Killed in Ashulia Garment Factory Fire

The death toll from a gas-cylinder explosion and subsequent fire at a garment factory in Ashulia’s Jamgora area has risen to eight, with another victim dying while undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

The latest victim was identified as Nazrul Islam, 30, who sold raw materials on the road in front of the factory. He was among four injured people taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital after the incident.

Nazrul died while undergoing treatment at around 10:30pm. The three others receiving treatment were raw-material seller Sujon Mia, 25, his father Mokhles Mia, 45, and Nur Islam, 30, a gas-transport vehicle driver who suffered severe burns.

The incident occurred around 6:45pm on Sunday at a garment factory of Preeti Group in Jamgora, Ashulia. Fire Service officials said the blast occurred while gas cylinders were being unloaded from a covered van outside the factory. The explosion was followed by a fire that spread through the area.

According to family members, Nazrul was originally from Abudanga village in Daulatpur upazila of Manikganj and currently lived in Shimultala, Ashulia. He sold onions, garlic and other raw materials in front of the factory.

Mokhles said he and his son were selling raw materials near the factory when they heard a powerful explosion. Metal objects, bricks and glass fragments were thrown into the surrounding area, injuring them. Local residents rescued them and took them to a nearby hospital before they were transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Nur Islam, who drove a vehicle used to transport gas, suffered burns over much of his body. He was admitted to the burn unit at Dhaka Medical College Hospital in critical condition.

Inspector Md Habibur Rahman, in-charge of the Dhaka Medical College Hospital police outpost, said four people had been brought to the hospital from the Ashulia incident. One of them, Nazrul, died, while the others were receiving treatment in the casualty and burn units.

Earlier, Fire Service officials said several people died at the scene after the explosion. Five bodies were badly burned and initially could not be identified. Another victim, a woman identified as Salma, died while being taken to hospital, while a man identified as Bulbul died on the way to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

The incident occurred after gas cylinders reportedly exploded in a vehicle parked near the factory. Fire Service officials said four firefighting units responded to the incident and brought the blaze under control.

Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the explosion and fire.