A 12-year-old girl, who has been working at the factory for the past eight months, said she was working as usual when the fire broke out.

“As soon as the fire started, I ran to get out of the factory,” she said, adding, “When I reached the gate, I found it closed. After waiting for some time, it was opened from outside, and I managed to get out safely.”

Like her, several others alleged that the factory’s main gate had been locked, making it difficult for workers to escape. Many had to look for alternative ways to get out.

At least five people were killed in a fire at a tin-shed gas lighter manufacturing factory at the Kadamtali intersection in Dhaka’s Keraniganj this afternoon.

Md Mahmud, an employee of an internet service provider shop next to the factory’s main gate, said the gate was closed at the time of the fire, leaving several people stranded near the exit.

“A girl came running to the gate right after the fire broke out. I asked the guard to open it, but he refused. As a result, they were forced to find other ways to get out,” he said.

“The factory authorities cannot evade responsibility for the deaths,” he alleged.