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Three of the injured -- Mamun, 35, Sohel, 32, and Suruj, 30 -- were admitted to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery. They were rescued unconscious around 2:45pm and taken to the emergency unit, said Shaon Bin Rahman, resident surgeon.

Relatives rushed between the site and nearby hospitals in desperate search for their loved ones. Many broke down in tears, holding photos of the missing.

Fire service, police, and army personnel cordoned off the site, preventing anyone from entering. Around 5:00pm, a fresh line of ambulances entered the site, worrying relatives of the missing.

Newly married Md Joy, 22, and Marzia Sultana Alo, 18, workers at the RMG unit, are among the missing.

Amanullah was searching for his cousin Anwar Islam, 21, a helper at the RMG washing unit, holding a photo.

Another person was looking for Asma Akter, 14, who worked at the unit.

One Shakil Ahmed held a photo while searching for his cousin Khalid Hasan, 32, a storekeeper at the RMG factory unit.

From the condition of the site and the burnt materials, initial signs indicated a rapid flashover -- the sudden ignition of all combustible materials -- which spread through the building, said the fire service.

Citing initial findings, Lt Col Tajul said, “We suspect the fire began with a chemical explosion that released highly toxic gas. Many people managed to escape, but those trapped between the first and second floors might have died instantly after inhaling the toxic fumes.”

“The roof was made of tin and thatched materials, and the rooftop exit was locked with two padlocks. They could not go up, and because of the toxic gas and the flashover caused by the chemical explosion, they became unconscious and died instantly,” he said.

He said the fire service was not allowing anyone, even firefighters, to enter the chemical warehouse since the site became very risky.

A total of 12 fire engines were at the site. “The fire in the garment [factory] section has been brought under control, but the fire inside the chemical warehouse is still burning,” Tajul said around 7:00pm.

The fire service was using ground monitors and drones. “The process of neutralising the chemicals is not yet complete. We urge everyone to maintain a minimum distance of 300 yards from the site,” Tajul said in the evening.

He also said the fire service learnt that the facility was known as Alam Chemical Factory, but the authorities have not been able to contact the owner, manager, or any employees. “Police and army personnel are trying to locate them.”

Neither the garment factory unit nor the chemical warehouse had any fire safety licence, fire safety plan, licence, and proper fire protection measures, Tajul said.

Locals told the authorities that six to seven types of chemicals were stored in the warehouse, including bleaching powder, meta potash, enzymes, salt, and hydrogen peroxide.

The Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE) formed a five-member committee to investigate the fire, Atiqur Rahman, deputy inspector general of DIFE, told The Daily Star.

Led by Md Matiur Rahaman, joint inspector general (safety wing) of DIFE, the committee has been asked to submit its report within seven working days.

This correspondent found numerous small factories along narrow lanes in the area. Locals said most factories employ 30–40 workers and mainly operate on subcontracts.

The BNP and the Jamaat-e-Islami separately announced Tk 1,00,000 financial assistance for the family of each deceased victim.

Brig Gen Muhammad Jahed Kamal, director general of the fire service, blamed unauthorised chemical warehouses and structural irregularities for the devastating fire, saying such negligence continues to cost lives despite repeated warnings.

“I want to appeal to you all: let us be a little more aware,” he said while visiting the spot.

At 11:40pm, he said smoke was still billowing from the warehouse. The fire service will bring a team from BUET to assess and help take the next steps.

“The fire is under control but we cannot declare it extinguished; because this is a chemical fire it will take time. It will not be put out as quickly as ordinary fires.”