Dhaka: A massive fire that tore through a garment factory and an adjoining chemical warehouse in Dhaka on Monday has claimed at least nine lives, with authorities warning that the death toll could rise as rescue efforts continue.

The blaze erupted late in the morning at a seven storey building in the Mirpur industrial area, where a garment manufacturing unit and a warehouse storing bleaching powder, hydrogen peroxide, and plastic materials were located. According to fire service officials, the flames spread rapidly due to the presence of highly flammable chemicals.

Eight firefighting teams battled the fire for nearly three hours before bringing it under control. By that time, thick smoke had already filled the lower floors, trapping several workers inside. Rescuers later recovered nine bodies, most of whom are believed to have died from inhaling toxic gases rather than burns.

Eyewitnesses said workers inside the building tried to escape through stairways as black smoke engulfed the structure. Local residents helped emergency teams carry out rescue operations while police cordoned off the area. One injured person was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Fire officials said the initial investigation suggests that poor storage conditions and inadequate safety measures might have intensified the blaze. They added that forensic experts will conduct tests to determine the exact cause of the fire.

Industrial fires remain a recurring tragedy in Bangladesh, where the garment sector, one of the world’s largest, has long faced criticism for weak safety standards. Despite improvements since the deadly Rana Plaza collapse in 2013, many factories continue to operate in unsafe buildings with limited fire exits and poor maintenance.

Authorities have launched an inquiry into the incident to assess whether the factory complied with required fire safety regulations. Families of the victims gathered near the site on Monday evening, waiting for the bodies of their loved ones as rescue teams continued their search amid the charred remains.

Officials said efforts are now underway to ensure that similar facilities in the capital are inspected urgently to prevent another disaster of this scale.