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At least 16 persons have perished after a enormous fire started at a clothing factory in Bangladesh, with officials stating that the fatality count could increase.

A total of sixteen bodies have been retrieved but were incinerated unrecognizable, the fire service reported.

Heartbroken relatives converged outside the multi-story factory in Mirpur, Dhaka on that day in seeking their loved ones still not found.

The fire, which broke out at the factory around lunchtime, was extinguished after multiple hours. But an nearby chemical warehouse kept burning, officials said.

As late as 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) yesterday, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been completely doused, news sources said.

Emergency responders have not ascertained which of the two buildings ignited initially.

Based on witnesses, the chemical warehouse stored chemical bleaching agents, synthetic polymers and chemical peroxide, all of which can intensify fires. Synthetic materials also emits poisonous gases when combusted.

Security personnel are still trying to locate the operators of the factory and the warehouse, fire department chief Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury briefed journalists.

An probe on whether the warehouse was running according to regulations is also in progress, he mentioned.

Crying family members stood outside the burned buildings, many of them holding photographs of their missing relatives.

Among them is a man searching desperately for his daughter, his loved one.

"When I was informed of the fire, I hurried to the scene. But I still have been unable to find her... I just want my daughter back," he told news media.

The catastrophic occurrence has yet again underscored the safety concerns plaguing Bangladesh's apparel manufacturing, which provides jobs for millions of workers and is a major contributor to foreign revenue for the nation.