A massive fire that engulfed a factory in Chattogram Export Processing Zone (CEPZ) was finally brought under control early Friday morning after 17 hours of continuous efforts, according to Fire Service.

Jasim Uddin, Deputy Assistant Director of Chattogram Fire Service and Civil Defence (Agrabad), confirmed that 25 firefighting units from various stations managed to contain the blaze around 7:15 AM.

The fire broke out around 2:00 PM on Thursday on the eighth floor of Adam Cap factory, located in Sector 1, Road No-5 of CEPZ and quickly spread to the sixth and seventh floors.

The factory, which produced hospital equipment and towels, housed large amounts of flammable materials that intensified the fire and accelerated its spread.

The building has since been declared a fire-risk structure, officials said.

To determine the cause of the fire and assess safety lapses, two separate investigation committees have been formed; one by Fire Service and another by CEPZ authorities.

The five-member Fire Service panel has been tasked with submitting its report within 15 days, while the CEPZ committee is expected to deliver findings within five days.

Md Zakir, Duty Officer of CEPZ Fire Service, stated that while the fire was under control, it had not been fully extinguished by the time of reporting. “The full extent of the damage is yet to be determined,” he added.

In addition to firefighting teams, personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) were deployed to assist in the emergency response.