Ashulia factory fire toll rises to 9

The death toll from Sunday’s fire at the premises of Pretty Composite Textile Limited in Ashulia’s Jamgora has risen to nine after another burn victim died at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) on Tuesday.

Dr Harunur Rashid, resident medical officer of the DMCH burn unit, said Nur Islam, 40, died while undergoing treatment.

“He had suffered burns to 95% of his body and suspected inhalation injury,” he said.

Earlier, three patients were brought to DMCH from Ashulia Women and Children Hospital following the incident. Two of them were declared dead by doctors on duty, although their identities could not immediately be confirmed.

The fire broke out in front of the Pretty Composite factory in Jamgora at around 6:45pm on Sunday (20 September). The Fire Service brought it under control at around 8:03pm.

Firefighters initially suspected that the fire started after gas cylinders exploded inside a specialised lorry parked in front of the Pretty Group garment factory. Five to six covered vans belonging to the company were also damaged.

Ashulia Women and Children Hospital initially reported receiving 25 injured people following the incident. According to Selim, sub-inspector and in-charge of the DMCH police outpost, Fire Service personnel recovered six bodies from the scene. Three critically injured people were referred to DMCH, two of whom died on the way.

The three patients transferred to DMCH were Sujon Mia, 35, Nazrul Islam, 35, and Nur Islam, 40.
Meanwhile, a four-member committee has been formed to investigate the cause of the fire.