Titas probe: Gas did not cause Tampaco fire

Titas' General Manager (marketing) Dhaka North Rana Kabir, who headed the investigation committee, told the Dhaka Tribune that they had submitted their findings on Thursday. A massive fire erupted at the food and cigarette packaging factory of Tampaco Foils Limited after a loud explosion. Initially it was reported that a boiler explosion had triggered the fire but government officials were quick to shoot down the claim. So far 35 people have been killed in the incident which is Bangladesh's worst industrial disaster since the 2013 Rana Plaza collapse that left more than 1,100 people dead in Savar. In its report, Titas Gas said the Tampaco incident was not its fault and that gas connections to the factory was severed within 10 minutes of the accident. It said no fault was found in the gas lines and that they were not damaged in the incident. Several separate investigation committees have been formed to look into Tampaco fire. Bangladesh's industries have been plagued by allegations of low wage and lax safety measures. The Tazreen Fashions Limited fire in November 2012, killing more than 100 workers, laid bare the poor working condition in factories. The government has since put much efforts to improve workplace safety but the ILO said the Tampaco fire showed that there was no room for complacency and that much needed to be done.