Mirpur fire: Toxic gas sickens nearby workers, factories shut down
Many workers who had returned to their factories in the morning fell ill shortly after inhaling the gas, while others were sent home as management decided to close their units temporarily.
A day after a chemical warehouse fire in Mirpur's Rupnagar area, toxic fumes spread across the neighbourhood, leaving dozens of workers from nearby factories sick and forcing several garment and plastic factories to suspend operations.
Many workers who had returned to their factories in the morning fell ill shortly after inhaling the gas, while others were sent home as managements decided to close their units temporarily.
A female worker at Rising Apparel Ltd, requesting anonymity, told The Business Standard, "As soon as I entered the factory in the morning, my nose and mouth started burning. I had difficulty breathing. I tried to continue working but collapsed after a while. After receiving primary treatment, I feel a little better, but it's still hard to breathe."
She added that at least 15–20 workers around her suffered similar symptoms, mostly irritation in the eyes and breathing problems.
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Although the factory is located one lane away from the fire site, fumes still entered the premises.
At a neighbouring factory, MS Plastic, a worker was taken to hospital around 2:30pm after falling sick.
Bilquis Begum, who works in the sewing section of another unit under the Rising Group, said, "Our factory opened in the morning but was shut down within an hour because gas had filled the building and we couldn't breathe. We heard more than 50 people fell sick in a nearby factory."
Moinul Hasan, AGM (HR & Compliance) of Rising Apparels, said, "Each of our factories employs around 400–500 workers. We opened at 8am but closed by 8:45am because many, especially female workers, were feeling unwell due to gas accumulation.None were seriously injured, but many suffered breathing problems. We have announced closure until Friday following fire service instructions."
Kazi Nazmuzzaman, Assistant Director of the Fire Service and Civil Defence (Dhaka), said thick white smoke was still coming from inside the chemical warehouse.
"The smoke is highly toxic, so it will take time to bring the situation under control. We've asked everyone to stay away from the area and instructed nearby factories to remain closed for 72 hours," Nazmuzzaman said.
He further said, "It has not yet been possible to identify what kind of chemical was stored here, but work is underway. The substance has produced toxic gas that can cause serious health problems, including damage to the lungs and heart. Everyone should stay as far away from the area as possible."
Several factories, including three units of the Rising Group, have been closed, and workers have been sent home on leave amid the situation.
Rising Group Chairperson Nargis Akhter said, "Some of our workers fell sick due to the gas this morning. On expert advice, we've decided to keep our factories closed until Saturday. Arunima Apparels, Rising Fashion, and one other unit have all been shut. Several other nearby garment factories have also suspended operations."
