Deadly Clothing Factory Fire in the South Asian nation Claims at Least 16 Victims

A minimum of 16 people have perished after a huge fire erupted at a clothing factory in Bangladesh, with authorities warning that the number of victims could climb.

Sixteen bodies have been found but were incinerated beyond recognition, the fire service said.

Distraught relatives converged outside the four-storey factory in Mirpur, Dhaka on Tuesday in looking for their loved ones still unaccounted for.

The fire, which erupted at the factory around midday, was brought under control after three hours. But an neighboring chemical warehouse kept burning, officials confirmed.

As late as 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) that day, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been completely doused, news sources said.

Fire department authorities have not ascertained which of the two buildings was the origin point.

Based on witnesses, the chemical warehouse contained bleaching powder, plastic and chemical peroxide, all of which can accelerate fires. Polymer products also produces hazardous smoke when burned.

Police and military officers are still searching for the owners of the factory and the warehouse, fire department chief the department director briefed reporters.

An probe on whether the warehouse was functioning with proper authorization is also in progress, he added.

Tearful family members gathered outside the fire-damaged buildings, many of them holding photographs of their unaccounted for relatives.

Among them is a man looking frantically for his daughter, Farzana Akhter.

"When I learned of the fire, I rushed here. But I still haven't found her... I just want my loved one back," he told reporters.

The devastating event has another time highlighted the security issues plaguing Bangladesh's apparel manufacturing, which provides jobs for countless of workers and is a significant source of export earnings for the nation.