Fire Service hazmat team fails to enter burning Mirpur chemical warehouse due to heavy presence of toxic fumes
Fire Service officials said 12 units were dispatched to the scene and managed to bring the main blaze under control after hours of effort
Fire Service and Civil Defence deployed a specialised "Hazmat Team" (Hazardous Materials Team) to the site of the devastating fire at chemical warehouse and a adjacent garment factory in Mirpur's Shialbari, more than 24 hours after the blaze erupted.
However, they failed to enter the premises even after breaking down the door today (15 October), as toxic gas and chemical fumes still covered the place.
Fire Service Assistant Director Kazi Nazmuzzaman said, "Our expert team, wearing chemical suits, opened the main gate of the chemical warehouse this morning but could not enter inside. There is a large amount of thick white smoke inside, which is highly toxic. It will take time to bring the situation under control."
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He added, "Our operation is ongoing, but it will take a long time to completely remove the chemicals. Further decisions will be made by our senior officials regarding the next course of action."
"It has not yet been possible to identify what type of chemicals were stored here — the work is still ongoing. The chemicals have produced toxic gases that can cause severe health issues, including damage to the lungs and heart. Therefore, everyone must stay as far away from this area as possible," he added.
He further said, "The storage did not follow proper chemical safety guidelines. As a result, the chemicals have reacted upon contact with air, water, or fire — producing poisonous gases and even causing explosions."
The Hazmat team was dispatched around 11am today to inspect the condition of the chemical warehouse. Two members of the team were sent inside the structure wearing specialised protective suits to assess the situation.
Firefighters have been battling the flames since the blaze broke out around 11:40am yesterday. As of this morning, at least 16 people have been confirmed dead, with rescue operations ongoing.
Fire Service officials said 12 units were dispatched to the scene and managed to bring the main blaze under control after hours of effort.
The main challenge for the 12 fire units deployed has been the thick, toxic fumes emanating from the burning chemicals, which have made it nearly impossible for personnel to enter the building to extinguish the remaining smouldering flames.
The entire Mirpur-Shialbari area remains tense, with the site still heavily cordoned off by law enforcement agencies. Despite the warnings, crowds of curious onlookers wearing masks and other protective head coverings gathered outside the building, alongside anxious relatives searching for news of missing loved ones.
Authorities had earlier warned residents within a 300-metre radius to keep doors and windows shut due to the hazardous chemical smoke polluting the air. Several nearby garment factories were also temporarily closed to prevent exposure to the toxic fumes. Fire service members remain on site, continuing their operations.
