A devastating fire at a small chips manufacturing facility in the eastern Badda area of the capital has claimed the lives of two young workers in the early hours of Sunday, 24 May. The incident, which occurred around 3:00 a.m., has once again raised concerns about industrial safety standards in informal factories operating within densely populated urban neighbourhoods.
The deceased have been identified as Mahmudul Hasan (23) and Mostafa Mia (21). Mahmudul hailed from the Boro Jompapara village under Taraganj upazila in Rangpur, and was the son of Md Islam Uddin. Mostafa Mia, also from the same upazila, was from Char Kajipara village and the son of Mofizur Rahman Mia.
According to fellow worker Rakibul Islam, the night shift had ended its main workload before the tragedy unfolded. “We were around ten workers who had finished work and gone to sleep inside the factory. Suddenly, at around 3 a.m., we heard shouts of fire. We managed to rush out immediately, but Mahmudul and Mostafa could not escape,” he said.
Fire service officials and police sources confirmed that the blaze broke out at a factory located on Amir Hossain’s premises on Kabristan Road in Badda. Emergency responders arrived shortly after being alerted and managed to bring the fire under control. However, by the time the flames were extinguished, the two workers had already succumbed.
Police Sub-Inspector Md Harun-or-Rashid stated that the bodies were recovered from the scene at approximately 4:15 a.m. and were later sent for legal formalities. The exact cause of the fire has not yet been determined, though preliminary suspicion points towards electrical faults or unsafe storage of flammable materials, both common risks in small-scale food processing units.
Details of the victims
Name
Age
Home district
Occupation
Mahmudul Hasan
23
Rangpur (Taraganj)
Factory worker
Mostafa Mia
21
Rangpur (Taraganj)
Factory worker
Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, while locals and labour rights observers have called for stricter enforcement of fire safety regulations in small industrial establishments. The tragedy highlights ongoing concerns over inadequate exits, lack of fire suppression systems, and unsafe sleeping arrangements for workers in such facilities.
The incident has left the community in shock, as families of the deceased prepare to receive their bodies amid grief and unanswered questions about preventable workplace hazards.
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