Horror! Dozens Of People Killed In Factory Fire As Workers Jump Out Of Windows To Escape Blaze (Photos)

Firefighters continued to battle the blaze nearly 24 hours after it broke out in a food factory (Image: NurPhoto/PA Images)

As many as 52 people have been killed and 50 injured in a fire in Bangladesh, police say.

Many leapt for their lives from upper floors of a six-storey building in the industrial town of Rupganj, near Dhaka.

Bodies were being taken out as the food factory blaze continued to rage 24 hours after it broke out on Thursday.

Local reports suggest chemicals and plastic bottles in the factory helped the fire spread quickly from the ground floor of the building complex.

Grieving relatives rioted as bodies were seen being taken out by rescuers as the building continued to burn nearly 24 hours later on Friday.

Eighteen fire crews were struggling to douse the fire at the Hashem Foods and Beverage factory at 2.15pm.

Relatives gathered in front of the burning building to search for missing loved ones (Image: NurPhoto/PA Images)

Police and witnesses said the fire broke out at about 5pm local time on Thursday.

Fire service spokesman Debashish Bardhan said: “Once the fire is under control, we will conduct a search and rescue operation inside. Then we can confirm any further casualties, if any."

Mohammad Saiful, a factory worker who escaped the fire, said there were dozens of people inside when the blaze began.

He said: “On the third floor, gates on both stairwells were closed. Other colleagues are saying there were 48 people inside. I don’t know what happened to them."

Rescuers had recovered 49 bodies from the fourth floor of the building by Friday afternoon.

Many more are feared dead, said Fire Service Deputy Director (Dhaka) Debashish Vardhan.

Dozens on the fourth floor have been confirmed dead (Image: NurPhoto/PA Images)

Three workers died after jumping off the building to escape the devastating fire.

Mina Akter, 40, and Swapna Rani, 38, died on the way to a local hospital, according fire officer Shah Alam.

Another worker, Musralin, 24, died while undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Thursday night, said police.

Riots have broke out as crowds of relatives gathered in front of the building searching for loved ones from 10pm on Thursday.

Some alleged the front gate and only exit out of the factory remained locked during the blaze, said reports.

Police fired tear gas into the crowd as furious protests broke out at the delay to recover bodies saw police cars attacked.

Deputy Director of Narayanganj District Fire Service Abdullah Al Arefin said: “Until the fire is doused, it is not possible to say exactly how much damage has occurred and the cause of the fire."

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Source: Daily Star UK