NARAYANGANJ: At least 15 small garment factories were gutted Wednesday in a devastating fire in Railgate-2 area in the town, leaving at least 10 people injured.

Huge clothes stored in the factories were damaged in the blaze, witnesses said.

They said the fire originated from a short circuit at ‘Jonaki Store’ at around 2:30 pm and “soon engulfed the adjacent factories and shops”.

On information, three firefighting units from Narayanganj and Hajiganj fire stations rushed in and doused the flames after an hour of frantic effort.

Fire-service sources said eight factories burnt down completely and seven partially. A restaurant, polythene shop and five other stores were also wrecked.

Factory owners claimed the extent of loss could go up to Tk 50 lakh.

A local source said these small garment factories were set up in an unplanned way in the Railgate area adjacent to the Muslim Institute. These factories mostly made children’s wear.

“The fire spread within minutes as combustible materials, including polythene, were preserved in the tin-roofed factories,” says a spot account of the incident.
 
BDST : 1800 HRS, AUG 18, 2010