Tampaco packaging factory fire in Tongi claims another life

The boiler explosion and ensuing fire at a factory in Gazipur has claimed another life taking the death toll to 25.

Flames could still be seen at the factory of 'Tampaco Foils' on Sunday, 24 hours after the fire started from a boiler explosion early on Saturday.

Dhaka Medical College Hospital's Resident Physician Partha Shankar Pal told bdnews24.com that 35-year-old Ripon Das succumbed to his burn injuries in the wee hours of Sunday.

Das, a printing operator at the factory, had suffered 90 percent burns, said the DMCH burns unit doctor.

He added three others are being treated with burn injuries at the hospital.

At least 35 others, injured in the mishap, are being treated at the state-run Tongi Hospital, DMCH and Adhunik Medical College Hospital at capital's Uttara.

Around 6am on Saturday, a boiler exploded at the factory and set off a deadly fire across the five-storey building.

At least 25 firefighting units rushed to the spot to put out the fire that had led to a partial collapse in the building.

The fire service said that the flames were under control late on Saturday, but yet to be put out completely.

"We can still spot flames here and there, but there's no possibility of it spreading," Gazipur fire services Deputy Assistant Director Md Akataruzzaman told bdnews24.com on Sunday.

Firefighters are yet to enter the building due to the heat and smoke.

The fire service or the factory management is yet to comment on how the boiler exploded causing the fatal fire.

The Gazipur district administration has formed a five-member probe body over the incident.

The fire service and the government's Factory Inspection Department have also launched separate investigations.