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No fewer than 16 individuals have lost their lives after a massive fire erupted at a garment factory in Bangladesh, with authorities stating that the number of victims could increase.

A total of sixteen bodies have been recovered but were burned unrecognizable, the fire department stated.

Heartbroken relatives converged outside the four-level factory in the Mirpur district of Dhaka on that day in search of their family members still missing.

The inferno, which erupted at the factory around lunchtime, was extinguished after multiple hours. But an nearby chemical warehouse kept burning, officials confirmed.

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

Fire service officials have not ascertained which of the two buildings was the origin point.

Based on bystanders, the chemical warehouse housed chemical bleaching agents, plastic and industrial peroxide, all of which can worsen fires. Polymer products also releases poisonous gases when ignited.

Police and military officers are still attempting to find the owners of the factory and the warehouse, emergency services head Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury briefed reporters.

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

Weeping family members gathered outside the charred buildings, many of them holding photographs of their lost relatives.

Included in the crowd is a man searching desperately for his daughter, his family member.

"When I was informed of the fire, I hurried to the scene. But I still haven't found her... I just want my loved one back," he told journalists.

The tragic incident has once again underscored the security issues facing Bangladesh's garment industry, which employs countless of workers and is a significant contributor to economic income for the South Asian economy.