Seven people have died following a fire and explosion at the premises of a garment factory in the Jamgara area of ​​Ashulia, Savar. At least 25 others were injured in the incident. The event occurred around 6:45 PM on Sunday (September 20) at the F&F factory complex of the Priti Group, located in the Jamgara Chowrasta area.

Four Fire Service units brought the blaze under control at 8:03 PM after nearly an hour and a half of effort. However, it could not be immediately confirmed whether the fire originated from a boiler or a gas cylinder.

Eyewitnesses and relevant sources reported that multiple explosions with loud blasts occurred on the factory premises around 6:30 PM. The blasts shook the surrounding area, and the fire spread rapidly. Locals stated that a covered van and several lorries carrying gas cylinders, parked on the factory grounds, caught fire; however, the flames did not spread to the main factory building.

Roni, a local resident, said that several people were injured by the impact of the explosions and the fire. He personally rescued two workers who had suffered severe burns and injuries and sent them to the hospital. He also claimed that metal fragments from a boiler or pipe were hurled by the force of the explosion onto nearby houses and the road, injuring several others, including a rickshaw puller.

Harun Or Rashid, manager of the Ashulia Women and Children Hospital, stated that at least 14 patients suffering from burns or other injuries related to the fire have been admitted so far. Two of them are in critical condition; due to extensive burns covering most of their bodies, they have been transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment.

Around 11:30 PM, Mohammad Tariqul Islam, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Ashulia Police Station, reported that the bodies of five more individuals had been recovered from inside the covered van. Their identities could not be immediately ascertained.

Hemayet, the administrative manager of Priti Group's F&F factory, stated that no workers were trapped inside the factory. He noted that the fire had broken out near a corner of the factory's boundary wall. Hafizur Rahman, Deputy Assistant Director of the Fire Service, stated that the Jirabo Fire Station received a report of a fire at the Priti Group facility at 6:45 PM. Upon receiving the news, two units were dispatched from the Jirabo Fire Station, though their arrival was delayed due to traffic congestion at Baipail. Subsequently, two additional units from the EPZ Fire Station were sent to the scene.

He noted that five to six covered vans were seen burning at the site, but no casualties or people were found inside. The fire was brought under control at 8:03 PM. While there are no visible flames now, an odor persists due to the presence of gas; operations to cool down the covered vans and LPG cylinders were underway.

Rahman mentioned that preliminary assessments suggest the fire may have originated from LPG cylinders stored inside the covered vans. However, the exact cause of the fire and the extent of the damage can only be confirmed following an investigation.

He added that a total of four units worked at the scene. Authorities will also examine whether it is safe to use cylinders inside covered vans; workers reported that the cylinders were typically removed from the vans before use.

Mohammad Mominul Islam Bhuiyan, Superintendent of Police for Industrial Police-1, confirmed that the fire has been brought under control. It remains unclear whether the explosion was caused by a boiler or a cylinder. Due to the intense fire inside, rescue workers have been unable to fully enter the premises immediately. The exact number of casualties will be announced after the situation has been assessed.