Firefighters in Gazipur continue to battle a major blaze that erupted at a readymade garment factory on Saturday afternoon, leaving at least 70 workers hospitalised after inhaling toxic smoke.
The fire broke out at Matrix Garments, situated in the Fakir Market area of Deger Chala. According to officials, the flames originated on the third floor of the multi-storey facility around 2:45 pm and rapidly spread throughout the structure. Dense smoke quickly engulfed the premises, trapping dozens of workers who struggled to evacuate the building as panic ensued.
Upon receiving emergency calls, three initial units from the Gazipur Chourasta Modern Fire Station rushed to the scene. As the fire gathered strength, reinforcements were quickly deployed. A total of nine firefighting units—comprising teams from Konabari, Rajendrapur, and Gazipur stations—are currently engaged in a coordinated effort to suppress the flames and protect adjacent industrial premises.
Emergency crews managed to rescue 70 individuals who had fallen ill due to heavy smoke inhalation. The affected workers were swiftly transported to local medical facilities and hospitals for urgent care, though detailed reports on their medical conditions remain pending.
Saidul Alam Chowdhury, Deputy Assistant Director of Gazipur Fire Service, highlighted the severe operational constraints facing response teams. A primary hurdle has been the absence of natural water bodies, such as ponds or reservoirs, in the immediate vicinity. The crisis has been significantly compounded by the factory’s complete lack of internal fire-suppression infrastructure, forcing firefighters to rely entirely on transported water supplies to manage the inferno.
This incident reignites concerns over workplace safety and emergency compliance within Bangladesh’s garment sector. Industrial safety guidelines mandate functional internal extinguishing systems, clear emergency exit routes, regular fire drills, and dedicated water storage within multi-storey manufacturing units. The structural deficiencies encountered at Matrix Garments demonstrate how the absence of basic preventative infrastructure can dramatically increase the risk to human life.
The exact cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Fire crews remain on site working to fully extinguish remaining hotspots and secure the facility, with official investigations into the cause and total financial damage expected to commence once the situation is brought under control.
