Bangladesh factory owners arrested after fire kills 52

Police in Bangladesh have arrested eight people on murder charges in connection with a factory fire that killed at least 52 people, many of whom were trapped inside by an illegally locked door, a senior police official said.

The blaze began on Thursday night at the five-story Hashem Foods Ltd. factory in Rupganj, just outside
Dhaka, sending huge clouds of black smoke billowing into the sky.

Police discovered piles of bodies Friday afternoon after the fire was extinguished, according to The Associated Press.

“We have arrested them for murder charges,” Jayedul Alam, police superintendent for Narayanganj district, told The Associated Press by phone. “They are in our custody now.”

Home Minister Asaduzzman Khan said that among those detained is the managing director of Sajeeb Group, which owns the factory.

The minister did not provide further details, but said those responsible would be punished.

“It’s a murder,” Khan said as he visited the factory site Saturday, according to The Associated Press.

By Saturday evening, a court in Dhaka allowed all eight suspects to remain in police custody for four days for interrogation.