Workers protest in Gazipur, fire at factory

Witnesses and Fire Service personnel say workers have set fire to a warehouse at a garment factory in Gazipur.

The incident occurred around noon at a factory named ‘Big Boss’ in the Bhabanipur area of Kashimpur Thana, according to Fire Service Deputy Assistant Director Abdullah Al Arefin.

When firefighters rushed to the scene, the agitated workers vandalised their vehicles.

The fire was still burning as of the filing of this report.

Witnesses say that factory workers were protesting for backpay and a number of other demands in the area from the morning. At one point they blocked the road.

Around noon, a group of agitated workers went inside the factory and started a fire. They then blocked the area while armed with sticks. The fire is still burning.

“Two of our units went to the scene after a fire at a factory named ‘Big Boss’ was reported,” said Fire Service official Arefin. “There, agitated workers vandalised a vehicle and the firefighters returned.”

Two units from Kashimpur Mini Fire Station and Sarabo Fire Station went to the scene and are working to bring the fire under control.

“As of 4:30pm, the fire was not yet under control,” Arefin said.

“We have heard that the workers set fire to the factory.”