Dhaka, Oct 15 (V7N) – Bangladesh Nationalist Party, (BNP) Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced that the Dhaka North BNP Convener Aminul Haque will provide financial assistance of Tk 1 lakh to each family of those killed in the devastating Mirpur fire.

Speaking to reporters at the fire site in Mirpur’s Rupnagar Shialbari area shortly after midnight on Tuesday, Rizvi expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident and said that if the BNP comes to power, it will work to address the lack of coordination in industrial zoning and prevent the establishment of factories in residential areas.

Rizvi was accompanied by Dhaka North BNP Convener Aminul Haque during the visit. “BNP will extend Tk 1 lakh to every victim’s family through our Dhaka North leadership,” he said, adding that future development plans under a BNP government would focus on strict industrial regulation and safety enforcement in residential zones.

Leaders from other political parties, including the National Citizen Party (NCP) and Jamaat-e-Islami, also visited the site to express condolences. Local residents and students gathered near the scene as fire service personnel continued their operation late into the night.

A student named Karima Islam Tumpa told reporters, “Our home is nearby, and the situation is frightening. The fire isn’t fully out yet, so we came to see what’s happening.” Local resident Abdur Rashid added that his wife works in a nearby garment factory, and he came to check on her safety.

The fire, which broke out around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, originated at the four-story RN Fashion garment factory and spread to a neighboring chemical warehouse owned by Shah Alam. Fire Service Director (Operations and Maintenance) Lt. Col. Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury said search operations were ongoing, adding, “The adjacent chemical storage area remains extremely hazardous. We’re using drones and modern equipment to continue the operation safely.”

Later in the day, Fire Service officer Talha Bin Jasim confirmed the recovery of nine bodies, and by evening, the death toll rose to sixteen as more victims were discovered during the ongoing rescue efforts.

END/AJ/SMA/