Staff Reporter:
Authorities have detected a dangerously high concentration of hydrogen sulfide gas inside a burnt chemical warehouse in the Shialbari area of Mirpur, posing a severe threat to human life.
According to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Bomb Disposal Unit, gas levels inside the warehouse measured 149 parts per million (PPM) on Friday afternoon — a concentration that can cause instant death upon exposure.
Assistant Police Commissioner Mohammad Mahmuduzzaman, chief of the Bomb Disposal Unit, confirmed that hydrogen sulfide levels exceeding 100 PPM are considered lethal for anyone entering the site without proper protective gear.
“Apart from the gas, there are also large quantities of other toxic substances present inside the warehouse,” he added.
Mahmuduzzaman further said that gas levels outside the warehouse ranged between 70 and 80 PPM, warning that at such levels, residents within a 150–300 metre radius should be evacuated immediately.
If the gas continues to spread through the air, people should maintain a safe distance of up to 1.5 kilometres, he advised.
He cautioned that numerous chemical sacks remain inside the facility, making the situation far from stable.
“This is not an ordinary fire; it’s a chemical fire resulting from the combination of heat and hazardous materials,” he said, urging bystanders and families of victims not to approach the area.
“People must understand — this is a chemical fire. Anyone getting too close risks facing a life-threatening situation. Maintaining a safe distance is absolutely essential,” Mahmuduzzaman warned.
