Fire at Rupnagar chemical warehouse may take hours to control: Fire Service

The Fire Service has warned that extinguishing the fire at a chemical warehouse in Rupnagar could take a long time due to lingering smoke and toxic gases.

Kazi Nazmuz Zaman, Assistant Director of the Fire Service (Dhaka), said that firefighters donned chemical suits and took all necessary safety measures before opening the warehouse doors on Wednesday morning. “The interior is still filled with dense smoke. Our operations are ongoing, but it is not safe to continue now. It will take considerable time to complete the mission,” he told reporters while inspecting the site.

A senior Fire Service team is scheduled to arrive in the afternoon to assess the situation and decide the next course of action.

When asked about missing persons, he said, “Rescue operations are still underway. Other administrative matters are being handled by the authorities.”

Zaman warned that toxic gases produced from the chemicals could cause skin, lung, and heart problems if inhaled. “We are using loudspeakers to instruct locals to stay away and keep themselves safe. The warehouse will be opened only when it is safe to do so,” he said.

He added that improper storage of chemicals can trigger dangerous reactions, which is why controlling the fire will take time. Since the warehouse was locked, authorities believe no one is inside, but details will emerge once the operation is complete.

Meanwhile, the government continues its crackdown on illegal chemical storage.

Sharmin S. Murshid, Social Welfare Adviser to the Interim Government, who also visited the site, said, “Many business owners are not following rules and have illegally stored chemicals. The government’s stance is strict, and those responsible will face legal action. Necessary assistance has been arranged for the affected.”