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At least 16 individuals have died after a enormous fire broke out at a garment factory in Bangladesh, with officials cautioning that the fatality count could increase.

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

Grief-stricken relatives gathered outside the multi-story factory in Mirpur, Dhaka on that day in seeking their family members still missing.

The blaze, which erupted at the factory around midday, was brought under control after three hours. But an nearby chemical warehouse kept burning, emergency services confirmed.

Up until 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) yesterday, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been entirely put out, journalistic accounts indicated.

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

Based on eyewitnesses, the chemical warehouse housed bleaching powder, synthetic polymers and chemical peroxide, all of which can accelerate fires. Plastic also produces toxic fumes when combusted.

Police and military officers are still trying to locate the proprietors of the factory and the warehouse, fire department chief the department director told the media.

An inquiry on whether the warehouse was operating legally is also currently underway, he added.

Crying family members gathered outside the burned buildings, many of them clutching photographs of their unaccounted for relatives.

Among them is a man seeking urgently for his daughter, his family member.

"When I was informed of the fire, I hurried to the scene. But I still cannot locate her... I just want my daughter back," he expressed to news media.

The catastrophic occurrence has yet again highlighted the security issues facing Bangladesh's apparel manufacturing, which employs millions of workers and is a major source of export earnings for the country.