Hazmat team inspects chemical warehouse in Mirpur

A specialised Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) team was deployed on Wednesday to a chemical warehouse in Shialbari, Mirpur, more than 24 hours after a devastating fire broke out at an adjacent garment factory and chemical storage facility.

The team arrived around 11am, with two members entering the warehouse in protective suits to assess the situation. Firefighters have been battling the blaze since it erupted at approximately 11:40am. yesterday. At least 16 people have been confirmed dead, while rescue operations are ongoing.

The area remains tense, with the site heavily cordoned off by law enforcement. Despite warnings, crowds of masked onlookers and anxious relatives gathered outside. Authorities had advised residents within a 300-metre radius to keep doors and windows closed due to hazardous smoke, and several nearby garment factories were temporarily closed as a precaution.