Boiler explosion sparks fire at Tongi tyre recycling factory, triggers panic

A boiler explosion followed by a fire at a tyre recycling factory in Tongi's Pubail area has triggered panic among local residents, though no casualties were reported.

The incident occurred at around 2:10pm this afternoon (20 June) at a factory named 'Auto Green Oil', located in the Pubail College Gate area, where old tyres are processed to produce oil.

Being informed, firefighters from Tongi Fire Service rushed to the scene and brought the fire under control by around 3:40pm.

According to fire service and local sources, the explosion originated from a boiler used in the tyre-to-oil production process. Following the blast, flames quickly spread across the facility, causing loud explosions that terrified nearby residents.

Tongi Fire Service Senior Station Officer Shahin Alam said, "We initially suspect the fire started after a boiler explosion. Our teams responded quickly and managed to bring the situation under control. No casualties have been reported."

The factory has long been regarded by locals as a high-risk industrial site. It previously operated under the name Smart Metal and Chemical Industries.

The latest incident has revived memories of a devastating boiler explosion at the same site on 23 January 2016, when at least eight people were killed, including workers and passersby.

Among the victims was a primary school assistant teacher, Siddiqa Zebunnesa Doly, who died after being caught in the blast while travelling past the factory.

Following that tragedy, the factory was sealed by district authorities. However, it later resumed operations under a new name and management.

Local residents allege that despite the rebranding, the hazardous operations remained largely unchanged, and the facility is now surrounded by high walls that obscure its internal activities.

Today's incident has once again raised serious questions about industrial safety and regulatory oversight. Locals are demanding a thorough investigation into how such a high-risk facility continues to operate in a populated area, and whether proper environmental clearance and boiler safety standards are being maintained.