A major fire broke out at two tobacco warehouses belonging to British American Tobacco (BAT) in the Nolam area of Ashulia, on the outskirts of Dhaka, prompting an extensive emergency response that continued for hours on Wednesday morning. Firefighters from multiple stations remained at the scene as they worked to contain the blaze, while law enforcement and local authorities took measures to ensure public safety.
According to the Fire Service and local sources, the fire started at approximately 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday inside two warehouses operated by British American Tobacco. The buildings reportedly contained large quantities of stored tobacco and other combustible materials, allowing the flames to spread rapidly through the premises within a short period.
Residents in the surrounding area noticed thick black smoke rising into the sky, visible from a considerable distance, and immediately alerted the Fire Service. The dense smoke and intensity of the fire raised concerns among nearby communities as emergency responders rushed to the industrial site.
The first response came from the Zirabo Fire Station, which dispatched four firefighting units to begin suppression efforts. As the scale of the incident became apparent, two additional units from the DEPZ Fire Station were deployed. Later, another unit joined the operation, bringing the total number of Fire Service units engaged in the response to seven.
Firefighters encountered significant challenges due to the highly flammable nature of the materials stored inside the warehouses. Tobacco products, packaging materials and other combustible items contributed to the rapid spread of the flames, making containment particularly difficult. Despite more than four hours of continuous firefighting, the blaze had not been fully brought under control by the latest available reports.
As the fire intensified, anxiety spread among residents living near the industrial complex. Fearing that the flames could spread further, many people moved valuable belongings and essential household items to safer locations as a precaution. Crowds also gathered around the affected area, prompting additional security measures.
To maintain order, facilitate emergency operations and ensure public safety, four teams from the Industrial Police were deployed around the site. Officials from the local administration also visited the scene to monitor developments and coordinate with emergency responders as the operation continued.
Speaking to the media, Fire Service Deputy Assistant Director Hafizur Rahman said authorities received the emergency call at around 7:30 a.m. and immediately dispatched units from nearby stations. He explained that the intensity of the fire meant extinguishing operations would require considerable time and that firefighters would remain at the scene until the situation was fully stabilised.
Fire Service officials stressed that it would be premature to determine the exact cause of the incident before the blaze had been completely extinguished. They also said the full extent of the damage could not yet be assessed, as parts of the affected warehouses remained inaccessible while firefighting efforts continued.
Once the fire has been fully contained, investigators and technical specialists are expected to examine the site to identify the origin of the blaze, evaluate structural damage and calculate the financial losses. A formal investigation will also seek to determine whether any safety or operational factors contributed to the incident.
The fire has renewed concerns over industrial safety in one of Bangladesh’s busiest manufacturing zones. Large warehouse fires not only threaten valuable inventories and production facilities but can also pose risks to nearby businesses and residential communities. Incidents involving warehouses storing combustible materials often require prolonged firefighting operations because of the volume and nature of the goods involved.
As of the latest update, firefighters remained engaged in efforts to bring the situation fully under control, while authorities continued to monitor conditions closely. No official confirmation regarding casualties or the total value of losses had been released at the time of reporting.
