5 injured in Ashulia factory fire

Five workers were injured trying to escape a factory on fire in Ashulia on Thursday, within weeks of the Rana Plaza collapse that raised global concerns on Bangladesh factory safety.

The flames were however controlled -- but after two and half hours of frantic fire-fighting, around 12pm .

Industrial Police Assistant Superintendent Zahirul Islam said, "One or two workers sustained injuries while coming out."

Trade Manager of Arba Textiles, Golam Mostafa, said workers rushed through the staircase close to where the fire had erupted. "Five were injured while coming out. One of them is a woman."

Among the injured, Rezaul and Hemayetuddin sustained cuts and bruises on their legs. Condition of others were not available immediately, he said.

Fire Service and Civil Defence Deputy Assistant Director Mamun Mahmud told bdnews24.com that fire began in the store-room on the ground floor. "Firemen entered through the back of the building and controlled the fire."

The fire service official said the building was not adequately equipped with fire fighting equipment.

The fire had broken on the ground floor of the six-storied Arba Textile Limited at 9:30am in Ashulia's Unique area, Ashulia Police Station OC Shahinur Rahman said.

Workers were evacuated from the factory, he said.

Earlier in Nov 24 fire at Tazreen Fashions Limited claimed more than 110 lives, drawing global criticism for factory safety standards in Bangladesh, the world's second largest exporter of ready-made garments.

With the generalised system of preference (GSP) facilities hanging in uncertainity in the US, global leaders and business groups are seeking to pressure Bangladesh for improving workplace safety and working conditions.

A final decision on the GSP in the US will be announced within June.

It was during this review process (that began in January this year) that Rana Plaza collapsed in Savar killing over a thousand people.