DHAKA, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Devastating fire in two buildings involving a garment factory and a chemical warehouse in Bangladesh's capital, Dhaka, has killed at least nine people and left several others with severe injuries.
The two buildings are located side by side in front of Bangladesh University of Business and Technology (BUBT), according to local media reports.
Talha Bin Jashim, officer-in-charge of the media cell of the Fire Service headquarters in Dhaka, confirmed the casualty figures while speaking with Xinhua.
He said the blaze was reported to the Fire Service at around 11:40 a.m. Tuesday.
According to the official, the blaze in the seven-story garment factory started on the third floor and has been largely extinguished.
The operation began with five firefighting units and was later reinforced with three additional units, he said.
However, he said firefighters are still working to fully contain the fire at the chemical warehouse, which stored hazardous materials like bleaching powder, plastic, and hydrogen peroxide.
He said individuals injured in the major fire have been admitted to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery for treatment in Dhaka.
The death toll in the devastating inferno is likely to rise, warned another fire official, who did not want to be named.
The cause of the fire still remains unknown. ■
