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At least 16 people have died after a huge fire erupted at a apparel factory in Bangladesh, with authorities warning that the number of victims could rise.

Sixteen bodies have been found but were charred impossible to identify, the firefighters said.

Heartbroken relatives assembled outside the multi-story factory in the Mirpur district of Dhaka on that day in search of their loved ones still missing.

The inferno, which broke out at the factory around lunchtime, was put out after multiple hours. But an nearby chemical warehouse kept burning, officials confirmed.

As late as 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) yesterday, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been entirely put out, news sources said.

Fire department authorities have not ascertained which of the two buildings ignited initially.

Based on witnesses, the chemical warehouse contained chemical bleaching agents, plastic materials and hydrogen peroxide, all of which can worsen fires. Synthetic materials also releases poisonous gases when combusted.

Police and military officers are still attempting to find the proprietors of the factory and the warehouse, fire service director the department director informed journalists.

An investigation on whether the warehouse was functioning with proper authorization is also currently underway, he noted.

Weeping family members gathered outside the burned buildings, many of them clutching photographs of their lost relatives.

Present at the scene is a man looking frantically for his daughter, Farzana Akhter.

"When I was informed of the fire, I hurried to the scene. But I still haven't found her... I just want my loved one back," he expressed to reporters.

The catastrophic occurrence has another time emphasized the security issues facing Bangladesh's clothing sector, which provides jobs for numerous of workers and is a significant provider of export earnings for the country.