fire fighters
[Representational Image]Reuters

At least 21 people were killed and 70 others injured on Saturday after a boiler explosion triggered a massive fire in a packaging factory in Dhaka. 

The blast occurred in Bangladesh's industrial area, north of Dhaka. Gazipur Fire Service and Civil Defence Deputy Assistant Director Akhtaruzzaman said that the four-storey Tempako Packaging Factory building was engulfed by fire at around 6:15 a.m. in Bisic industrial area of Tongi, AFP reported.

There are fears of the death toll rising as many injured have been admitted to hospitals in a critical condition. Doctors at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital said that out of the injured people, at least 10 are battling for life and have serious burn injuries.

A part of the building collapsed because of the fire even as fire fighters were working to control the flames. Around 20 units of firefighters were present at the site.

Joydevpur's Senior Fire Station Officer Md. Rafiquzzaman said that the flames are under control but are yet to be put out completely.

The building was a packaging factory, which produced and printed plastic packaging for food products like potato chips.