Flammables intensify Tongi medicine factory fire; brought under control after 3 hours
The blaze at Drug International’s Unit-2 factory damaged two buildings, it also says.
A fire broke out at the Drug International's pharmaceutical factory in the Tongi BSCIC industrial area, Gazipur, damaging two floors severely; the fire was brought under control after more than three hours.
Flammable rubber used beneath aluminium sheets and chemicals stored inside the buildings fuelled the fire, damaging two buildings and hampering firefighting efforts, Fire Service and Civil Defence Director General Brigadier General Sultanul Afrain Zunaid said.
At a media briefing after the incident, he said the fire was brought under control around 1:35pm, though firefighters continued to extinguish hot spots and smouldering materials inside the buildings.
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The fire broke out on the fourth floor of a four-storey building around 10:15am and spread to an adjacent structure through a connecting staircase, he said.
The first building stored various chemicals, while highly flammable rubber used beneath aluminium sheets accelerated the spread of the fire. Chemicals used to manufacture powdered and injectable medicines further intensified the blaze, causing small explosions and sporadic flare-ups during firefighting operations.
The exact cause of the fire had yet to be determined, he added.
Authorities prioritised protecting nearby structures from the outset, following the prime minister's directive to prevent the fire from spreading and minimise damage.
Coordinated efforts by the Fire Service, Bangladesh Army, and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) helped contain the blaze. Three units from Tongi Fire Station initially responded, with additional units from Tongi, Savar, Gazipur, Ashulia and Dhaka joining as the fire intensified.
A total of 21 firefighting units took part in extinguishing the flames and damping down the affected areas. Army personnel, the Army's Chemical Danger Unit, a medical team and BGB robots also assisted, while factory workers and volunteers joined the rescue and firefighting efforts.
Although the blaze was brought under control, fire service crews continued working to extinguish the remaining flames and clear the smoke.
Thick smoke and a strong chlorine-like smell hampered operations. Some firefighters experienced breathing difficulties. One Fire Service personnel member received medical treatment, the director general confirmed.
"No other casualties have been reported so far. However, the final casualty figures can be confirmed only after rescue and search operations are completed," he said.
The building where the fire originated sustained severe damage to its fourth and second floors, while the other floors were also significantly affected. The adjacent building was also damaged, he added.
The factory manufactured various medicines, including powders and injections. Its large water reservoir helped improve water supply after initial difficulties.
The fire service DG said the cause of the fire would be determined through an investigation. Authorities had requested the factory's approved building design and other relevant documents from the management to assess the structure and its fire safety arrangements. The extent of the damage has yet to be determined.
Shafiqul Islam Badal, manager at Drug International, said the factory initially tried to contain the fire using its own firefighting arrangements but sought help from the Fire Service and other agencies as the situation worsened.
Earlier on Monday, a fire broke out at a shop on the sixth floor of Manzur Khan Plaza in the capital's Chawkbazar area and took 37 hours to extinguish completely. The fire was fully extinguished at 6:30am today (14 October), according to a Fire Service statement.
