A devastating fire that raged through a factory at the Chattogram Export Processing Zone (CEPZ) was brought under control early Friday morning after 17 hours of continuous efforts, according to the Fire Service and Civil Defence.
Jasim Uddin, Deputy Assistant Director of Chattogram Fire Service (Agrabad), said that 25 firefighting units from various stations managed to contain the blaze around 7:15 AM.
The fire erupted around 2:00 PM on Thursday on the eighth floor of the Adam Cap factory, located in Sector 1, Road No-5 of CEPZ, and quickly spread to the sixth and seventh floors. The factory produced hospital equipment and towels, and stored large amounts of flammable materials, which intensified the blaze.
Officials have since declared the building a fire-risk structure.
To determine the cause and assess safety lapses, two investigation committees have been formed — one by the Fire Service, which has 15 days to submit its report, and another by the CEPZ authorities, expected to report within five days.
Md Zakir, Duty Officer of CEPZ Fire Service, said the fire was under control but not yet fully extinguished as of reporting. “The full extent of the damage is yet to be determined,” he noted.
Personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) also joined the operation to assist firefighting teams
