3 Killed in Shezan Juice Factory Fire

At least three people were killed and 25 others injured as a massive fire broke out at Shezan juice factory of Hashem Foods Ltd in Bhulta Karnagop area of Rupganj in Narayanganj on Thursday.

Immediately after the incident, two deceased were identified as factory workers Mina Akhter, 40, and Shapna Rani, reports UNB.

Later, another worker, Mursalin, 22, who jumped from the third floor, succumbed to his injuries at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital around 11:00 pm.

The fire broke out at the seven-storey building around 5:00 pm, and 18 units of firefighters were still struggling to contain it, said Kamrul Ahsan, duty officer of the control room at Fire Service and Civil Defence.

Ten of the injured were sent to the DMCH and 16 admitted to US-Bangla Medical College and Hospital in Rupganj, said the hospital authorities.

Md Shahadat Hossain, a duty doctor of the US-Bangla Medical College and Hospital, confirmed the deaths of two workers.

Some of the injured admitted to the DMCH was identified as Nahid, 23, Monjurul Islam, 25, Mohasin Hossain, 32, Abu Bakar Siddique, 40, Amena Begum, 32, Fatema Akhter, 23, Mohasin, 27 and Mazeda, 28.

DMCH police outpost in-charge Inspector Bachchu Mia said three of the injured were shifted to Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery as they were having breathing problems caused by smoke.

Abu Bakar Siddique, one of the injured, said, they sustained injuries after jumping in a hurry to get out of the building.

The number of casualties may rise as 7,000-8,000 workers were working inside the factory, he said.

Deputy Director of Narayanganj Fire Service Md Abdul Al Arefin said they heard the fire broke out during a welding accident.

“An investigation is needed to find out the reason to know actually what caused the fire."