Gas cylinder blast kills 7 in Ashulia garment factory

Seven people were killed and at least 20 others injured after gas cylinders on a lorry exploded and triggered a fire at a garment factory in Jamgora area of Ashulia on Sunday evening.

One of the deceased was identified as Joynab Begum, 55, who ran a clothing shop beside the factory. The identities of the other six victims could not be established as their bodies were burnt beyond recognition, said Abdus Salam, warehouse inspector of DEPZ Fire Service.

The injured, including factory workers and passers-by, were taken to local hospitals, including Ashulia Women and Children Hospital. Three critically injured victims were later shifted to the burn unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).

The fire broke out around 6:45pm at a lorry carrying gas cylinders near the FNS garment factory of Preeti Group in the Jamgora Chowrasta area.

Six Fire Service units rushed to the spot and brought the blaze under control around 8:45pm after nearly two hours of efforts.

Shahabuddin, senior station officer of Zirabo Fire Service, said they rushed to the spot after receiving information about the fire in the evening.

Hemayet Uddin, admin manager of Preeti Group’s FNS factory, said the fire broke out after cylinders on a lorry beside the factory’s boundary wall exploded.

He said no workers were trapped inside the factory as they had already left the premises.

Harun-or-Rashid, manager of Ashulia Women and Children Hospital, said, “16 people have so far been admitted here for treatment. Three of them, who suffered severe burns across their bodies, have been shifted to DMCH for advanced treatment.”