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At least 16 individuals have lost their lives after a massive fire broke out at a clothing factory in Bangladesh, with authorities stating that the fatality count could climb.

A total of sixteen bodies have been found but were burned impossible to identify, the firefighters stated.

Heartbroken relatives gathered outside the four-storey factory in Dhaka's Mirpur area on Tuesday in search of their dear ones still not found.

The blaze, which broke out at the factory around midday, was extinguished after several hours. But an adjacent chemical warehouse kept burning, authorities reported.

As late as 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) on Tuesday, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been completely doused, journalistic accounts said.

Fire department authorities have not established which of the two buildings ignited initially.

Per bystanders, the chemical warehouse contained chemical bleaching agents, plastic materials and hydrogen peroxide, all of which can accelerate fires. Plastic also releases toxic fumes when burned.

Law enforcement and armed forces are still trying to locate the proprietors of the factory and the warehouse, fire department chief the department director briefed journalists.

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

Tearful family members stood outside the fire-damaged buildings, many of them clutching photographs of their missing relatives.

Among them is a man searching desperately for his daughter, Farzana Akhter.

"When I heard about the fire, I hurried to the scene. But I still cannot locate her... I just want my loved one back," he expressed to reporters.

The devastating event has once again highlighted the security issues affecting Bangladesh's apparel manufacturing, which provides jobs for millions of workers and is a significant provider of export earnings for the country.