2025 Dhaka garment factory fire
Dhaka garment factory fire: 16 killed near chemical warehouse (October 14, 2025)
On October 14, 2025, a fire broke out on the third floor of a four‑story garment factory in the Mirpur area of Dhaka, Bangladesh. The blaze spread to a nearby warehouse that stored chlorine powder, plastics, and hydrogen peroxide.
Sixteen people were killed and several others were injured. The victims were found on the second and third floors, cells burned beyond recognition. Police and military officers began searches to identify the factory and warehouse owners as part of the investigation.
Eyewitnesses said the fire started around 11 a.m. local time and raged for hours. The factory fire was put out after about three hours, but the chemical warehouse kept burning well into the evening.
Fire officials said the deaths likely happened quickly after workers inhaled highly toxic gases released by a chemical explosion and a flashover. They noted that neither the factory nor the warehouse had a fire safety plan. Investigators also pointed out that the factory had a tin roof and a locked door, which could have trapped workers inside.
Outside the building, many families waited for news, holding photos of missing relatives as investigators worked.
Bangladesh is home to one of the world’s largest garment industries, employing about 4 million workers and contributing roughly $40 billion a year in exports. The sector is a major part of the economy, with most exports going to the United States and Europe. After the deadly Rana Plaza disaster in 2013, working conditions and safety have improved, but fires and other safety risks remain in some factories.
Authorities say the investigation will continue to determine the exact cause and to hold those responsible accountable.
This page was last edited on 1 February 2026, at 23:02 (CET).