Firefighters in Gazipur continue to battle a major blaze that broke out at a readymade garment factory on Saturday afternoon, leaving at least 70 workers hospitalised after inhaling toxic smoke.

The incident occurred around 3:00 pm at Matrix Garments, situated in the Fakir Market area of Deger Chala. According to fire service officials, the flames originated on the third floor of the multi-storey facility and rapidly spread, sending thick plumes of smoke throughout the building and trapping numerous workers inside as they attempted to flee.

Upon receiving emergency calls at approximately 2:45 pm, three units from the Gazipur Chourasta Modern Fire Station rushed to the scene. However, as the inferno intensified, additional reinforcement was summoned. A total of nine units—comprising teams from Konabari, Gazipur, and Rajendrapur fire stations—are currently engaged in extensive operations to contain the disaster and prevent the flames from spreading to neighbouring industrial structures.

Emergency crews managed to rescue 70 individuals who had fallen ill due to heavy smoke inhalation. The rescued workers were swiftly transported to local clinics and hospitals for immediate medical attention.

Saidul Alam Chowdhury, Deputy Assistant Director of Gazipur Fire Service, confirmed that firefighting efforts have faced severe operational hurdles. A critical lack of natural water sources nearby, such as ponds or reservoirs, has drastically slowed down response efforts. The situation was further compounded by the absence of an functional internal fire extinguishing system within the factory premises, leaving firefighters entirely reliant on external water tankers to combat the blaze.

This incident underscores the ongoing safety vulnerabilities within Bangladesh’s vibrant textile sector, where despite regulatory reforms, operational infrastructure in various regional hubs continues to suffer from crucial gaps in fire safety compliance and emergency preparedness. Emergency operations remain ongoing as fire crews work to completely extinguish the remaining hotspots and ensure all areas of the facility are secure.