The death toll from the devastating fire that swept through a printing factory and chemical warehouse in Mirpur’s Rupnagar area on Tuesday has risen to 16, according to the Fire Service and Civil Defence.

Fire Service Director Tajul Islam confirmed the updated figure in the evening, saying that many of the victims are believed to have died from exposure to toxic gas emitted from the burning chemicals.

Earlier in the afternoon, rescuers had recovered nine bodies from the building. The number climbed to 16 by around 7:15 pm as search and rescue operations continued inside the charred structure.

Fire officials said many workers were trapped inside because the rooftop exit was locked, preventing them from escaping.

The presence of highly flammable chemicals made the fire spread rapidly, leaving little time for evacuation,” said an official at the scene.

The fire was first reported around 11:40 am, and the first firefighting unit reached the spot at 11:56 am. As the flames intensified, 12 units joined the operation. Even after more than five hours, the blaze in the chemical warehouse remained uncontrolled, with firefighters simultaneously battling flames in an adjacent garment factory and conducting a floor-by-floor search for victims.

Witnesses said the fire initially broke out in the wash unit on the ground floor of the garment factory before spreading to the nearby chemical storage area, triggering a powerful explosion. The flames then engulfed the entire four-storey building.

Preliminary reports suggest the warehouse contained bleaching powder, plastic materials, and hydrogen peroxide — all highly combustible substances that intensified the blaze.

Fire officials said they have been unable to locate the owner or staff members of the chemical warehouse since the incident.

Authorities fear that the death toll could rise further as rescue operations continue late into the night.