The Wednesday’s chemical factory fire in Dakkhin (South) Jatrabari claimed two more lives.
Rimu Begum, 26, and Sheuli, 21, succumbed to their injuries at the Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital early yesterday. With this the death toll in the fire incident rose to nine.
Injured Aminur Begum, 25, and Bishu Miah, 20, are undergoing treatment at the intensive care unit. Aminur Begum has 90 percent of body burn while Bishu 38 percent.
The magistrates assigned by the deputy commissioner’s office, Dhaka yesterday handed over five bodies– Shahinur, 30, Kohinur, 32, Sumi, 13, Aleya, 25, Aklima, 22–to their relatives.
The bodies of Shokhi, 17, and one unidentified person were at Sir Salimullah Medical College morgue till 8:00pm yesterday.
Meanwhile, the Fire Brigade has formed a four-member committee to investigate the fire at Lily Chemical Company.
Bharat Chandra Biswas, head of the probe committee, told The Daily Star that they have started the investigation yesterday morning. They, however, could not find the owner and employees of the factory or any witnesses.
The committee sought police help for information about the whereabouts of the factory owner and the employees. The committee chief said they have found 20 active fire extinguishers in the factory which–although adequate for the factory–were not used on Wednesday.
Deputy Director of Fire Brigade Abdur Rashid told The Daily Star that they have found evidence of two chemical drums exploding on the spot. About 200 drums and huge stock of chemicals were found unharmed. Had those blasted, the devastation and casualty would have been much higher, he added.
According to victim Bishu, the fire originated from a heat machine used for packaging. Kohinur and Rimu were operating that.
