The 16 people who died in Tuesday’s devastating fire at a chemical warehouse in Mirpur did not die from toxic gas inhalation but from burn injuries, according to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) authorities.

Brigadier General Md Asaduzzaman, director of DMCH, told reporters on Wednesday that all 16 victims of the Mirpur fire succumbed to burns rather than gas poisoning.

He said DNA samples have been collected, and the bodies will be handed over to families once identification is confirmed. So far, families of 10 victims have preliminarily identified the bodies.

Distraught relatives gathered at the scene and the hospital, desperately searching for their loved ones. Many were seen sitting in silence or breaking down in tears, while curious onlookers crowded the area to witness the aftermath of the deadly blaze.

Following the fire, several chemicals stored inside the warehouse reportedly emitted toxic chlorine gas. Many garment workers from nearby factories fell ill in the morning after inhaling the smoke when they arrived for work.

According to the Fire Service and Civil Defence, the blaze broke out around 11:45 am on Tuesday at a tin-shed chemical warehouse in Mirpur’s Shialbari area. Firefighters reached the spot within 15 minutes, and 12 units managed to bring the fire under control after seven hours of effort.

Rescuers recovered 16 bodies from the site. Officials said the victims were trapped inside the building as its roof was made of tin and the gates were locked. The warehouse contained several hazardous substances, including hydrogen peroxide and bleaching powder, among seven to eight types of chemicals.