A fire broke out at a jute warehouse and adjacent plastic factory in Bakalia, Chattogram, early Friday, forcing nearby residents to flee their homes.
The fire started around 1:30 a.m. and quickly spread due to the presence of highly flammable materials. Nine units of the Fire Service battled the blaze for more than three hours before bringing it under control at 4:45 a.m.
Residents said several nearby shops and houses were damaged, leaving many day labourers and families homeless. Locals also alleged that the jute warehouse and plastic factory had been operating without approval, despite a previous fire at the same location.
Deputy Assistant Director of Fire Service and Civil Defence Chattogram Mohammad Abdul Mannan said firefighters faced difficulties due to inadequate water supply and combustible materials inside the factory. “By 4:45 a.m. we managed to bring the situation under control, though operations are still ongoing,” he said.
The cause of the fire and the scale of the damage will be determined after an investigation, officials confirmed.