New Delhi: At least 52 people were killed and more than 50 others injured in a massive fire that broke out at a six-story juice-making factory outside Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, on Thursday.
The fire broke out at around 5 pm on Thursday at the Shezan juice factory of Hashem Foods Ltd in Rupganj, media reports on Friday, quoting fire officials.
The fire was said to have started from the ground floor of the building and spread quickly due to the presence of chemicals and plastic bottles on the upper floors.
The local daily Dhaka Tribune reported that 52 people died and over 50 others were injured. Several workers jumped off the building to escape the devastating fire, it said.
Nearly 20 fire-fighting units struggled for several hours to douse the fire.
A large crowd gathered around the building, many searching for their loved ones. Of the many missing, the identities of 44 missing workers have been confirmed, the reports said.
Rescued workers and relatives alleged that the front gate and only exit of the factory remained locked at the time of the fire. They also claimed that the building had no proper fire safety measures in place.
The district administration has constituted a five-member probe committee to look into the incident.
(VP)
