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At least 16 persons have lost their lives after a enormous fire broke out at a garment factory in Bangladesh, with officials stating that the death toll could climb.

Sixteen bodies have been recovered but were incinerated unrecognizable, the fire department reported.

Heartbroken relatives assembled outside the multi-story factory in Dhaka's Mirpur area on that day in seeking their dear ones still not found.

The fire, which broke out at the factory around midday, was brought under control after three hours. But an neighboring chemical warehouse kept burning, emergency services confirmed.

Until 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) that day, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been entirely put out, media reports indicated.

Fire service officials have not determined which of the two buildings ignited initially.

According to eyewitnesses, the chemical warehouse stored bleaching powder, plastic and industrial peroxide, all of which can worsen fires. Polymer products also produces hazardous smoke when ignited.

Security personnel are still trying to locate the owners of the factory and the warehouse, fire service director the department director told journalists.

An inquiry on whether the warehouse was running according to regulations is also ongoing, he noted.

Tearful family members stood outside the charred buildings, many of them clutching photographs of their lost relatives.

Among them is a man looking frantically for his daughter, his family member.

"When I was informed of the fire, I hurried to the scene. But I still cannot locate her... I just want my loved one back," he expressed to journalists.

The tragic incident has once again highlighted the hazardous conditions plaguing Bangladesh's clothing sector, which engages numerous of workers and is a major provider of export earnings for the South Asian economy.