Workers trapped in chemical fire at Mirpur factory, unable to escape toxic fumes

In Mirpur’s Rupnagar, a chemical warehouse sits directly across from a garment factory in an industrial plot beside the residential zone. It is surrounded by private universities, healthcare centres, and several other garment units. On Tuesday afternoon, a fire broke out in the chemical warehouse, quickly spreading toxic smoke across the area. Workers in the adjacent four-storey garment factory were immediately affected. Fire Service officials, assessing the scene during firefighting and rescue operations, said the flames from the warehouse rapidly spread to the lower floors of the neighbouring garment building via a narrow alley. Workers could not evacuate downward, and locked roof doors prevented escape upward. Rescuers suspect that staff on the upper floors succumbed to the toxic smoke before...