Dhaka: At least 13 people were killed and three others injured in a devastating fire that raged through a plastic factory in the city’s Mirpur area on Saturday afternoon.

The identities of the deceased could not be known yet, said Shah Ali police officer-in-charge Salimuzzaman.

According to the fire service central control room, the fire might have started on the ground floor of the five-storey ‘Appco Bangladesh Limited’ at Mirpur-1 at about 5:30pm and it soon spread through the entire building.

On information, 20 firefighting units rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control at about 7:00pm.

Fire Service (Dhaka district) assistant director Rafiqul Islam said most of the deceased died of suffocation and their charred bodies were found on the ground and fourth floors.

The injured were taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Assistant Director Mukul said it was not still clear what actually caused the fire.

Employees of the factory, however, said the fire broke out after a gas cylinder went off on the ground floor of the building.

Meanwhile, Labour and Employment Ministry formed a four-member investigation committee to look into the fire incident. The committee was asked to submit its report within three days.