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At least 16 individuals have lost their lives after a massive fire erupted at a apparel factory in Bangladesh, with authorities warning that the fatality count could increase.

Sixteen bodies have been recovered but were incinerated impossible to identify, the firefighters stated.

Heartbroken relatives assembled outside the four-level factory in Mirpur, Dhaka on that day in search of their loved ones still not found.

The fire, which erupted at the factory around midday, was put out after multiple hours. But an neighboring chemical warehouse continued to burn, authorities said.

Up until 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) on Tuesday, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been fully extinguished, news sources said.

Fire department authorities have not established which of the two buildings was the origin point.

Per witnesses, the chemical warehouse housed chemical bleaching agents, plastic materials and chemical peroxide, all of which can accelerate fires. Plastic also produces toxic fumes when burned.

Law enforcement and armed forces are still attempting to find the owners of the factory and the warehouse, emergency services head the fire service official informed journalists.

An inquiry on whether the warehouse was functioning with proper authorization is also ongoing, he added.

Weeping family members gathered outside the fire-damaged buildings, many of them grasping photographs of their unaccounted for relatives.

Included in the crowd is a man looking frantically for his daughter, his family member.

"When I learned of the fire, I came running. But I still haven't found her... I just want my loved one back," he stated to news media.

The catastrophic occurrence has once again highlighted the safety concerns affecting Bangladesh's garment industry, which employs numerous of workers and is a significant contributor to economic income for the country.