A district administration investigation has found negligence by factory authorities, lapses by government offices, mismanagement and violations of worker training requirements contributed to the gas cylinder explosion and fire at Pretty Group’s factory in Ashulia, Dhaka.
The committee described the incident at Pretty Composite Textiles Ltd as a “preventable industrial accident”, citing unsafe handling of flammable materials, mechanical faults, inadequate safety measures and a lack of worker training.
The factory was operating in violation of existing laws and regulations, according to a copy of the report obtained by The Business Standard.
The report identifies the factory authorities’ negligence, inadequate oversight in granting institutional approvals and failures to comply with safety requirements as key factors behind the incident.
The committee warned that similar irregularities and mismanagement may exist at other establishments and stressed the need to implement its recommendations.
Following the fire, the Dhaka district administration formed a five-member investigation committee comprising representatives of relevant agencies, including the Fire Service and Civil Defence.
The committee was instructed to submit its report within seven working days.
Licensing and safety lapses
The report’s “Legal Deviation” section says Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments’s Dhaka office renewed Pretty Composite Textiles Ltd’s factory licence on 25 August 2026, valid until 30 July 2027.
The Fire Service also renewed the factory’s fire licence for the period from 13 August 2026 to 30 June 2027.
However, according to information provided by the Department of Explosives representative, several factors may have contributed to the fire.
These included transporting high-pressure CNG cylinders in unauthorised or unsuitable vehicles, storing gas-filled cylinders and LPG containers in the same place, using cylinders beyond their retest dates, and handling damaged cylinders or valves.
The report also cited mechanical impacts during loading and unloading, as well as the use of CNG in industrial establishments without approved designs or installations.
Although a Department of Explosives licence is mandatory for storing such materials, the factory authorities had not obtained one, the report says.
Seven-point recommendations
To prevent similar incidents and ensure public safety, the committee made seven recommendations:
- Stop transporting and supplying gas-filled CNG cylinders in covered vans or lorries without the required explosives licences.
- Instruct all CNG filling stations not to supply gas to unauthorised vehicles carrying cylinders.
- Verify all relevant approvals and licences before allowing CNG use in industrial establishments.
- Conduct regular joint inspections involving the district administration, Department of Explosives, Fire Service, police, Titas or the relevant gas distribution company, and local administration.
- Conduct regular monitoring and, where necessary, mobile court operations against the transport and use of clustered CNG cylinders in covered vans.
- Train industrial establishments and transporters on the differences in pressure, specifications and applications of high-pressure CNG cylinders and LPG cylinders.
- Ensure cylinders recovered from the accident are not reused without proper technical examination. Move remaining gas-filled cylinders at the site and nearby areas to safety, and scrap cylinders that have expired, are damaged or corroded, or lack testing records.
The report also highlights the need for joint inspections, measures concerning industrial establishments in residential areas, stronger technical safety and supervision, and better worker recruitment and training.
Officials unavailable for comment
Litus Lawrence Chiran, then additional district magistrate, was appointed convener of the committee. He has since been transferred. Litus was unavailable for comment following his transfer.
Officials from the Fire Service, local upazila administration, Department of Explosives and local police were also included.
TBS made several attempts to contact representatives of the Fire Service and the Department of Explosives who were on the committee, but they could not be reached.
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