Chattogram EPZ fire under control after 17 hours

The fire at a factory in Chattogram Export Processing Zone (EPZ) was brought under control after 17 hours, the Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) has said. The factory was declared a fire-risk building. Roofs have caved in on several floors. 

Two probe committees were formed to investigate the cause of this catastrophic incident, one by the FSCD and one by the EPZ authority. 

The fire broke out at the Al Hamid textile factory at around 2:10pm on Thursday. It started on the seventh and eighth floors, where flammable materials were stored. One of the floors housed Adam Caps & Textiles Ltd's warehouse, and the other housed Jeihong Medical Products BD Co Ltd's warehouse.

The flames spread quickly. 25 units from the FSCD, Navy, and Air Force worked to control the fire. It was finally brought under control at around 7:30am on Friday. However, it will take longer to fully douse the fire. 17 units are still working. 

All workers have been safely evacuated, with no confirmed casualties reported so far. The cause of the incident and the extent of damage remain unknown pending investigation.