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At least 16 people have perished after a massive fire broke out at a garment factory in Bangladesh, with emergency services stating that the death toll could increase.

16 bodies have been recovered but were burned unrecognizable, the fire service said.

Distraught relatives converged outside the four-level factory in Dhaka's Mirpur area on Tuesday in looking for their loved ones still unaccounted for.

The fire, which started at the factory around noon, was brought under control after three hours. But an nearby chemical warehouse remained ablaze, emergency services reported.

Until 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) yesterday, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been completely doused, media reports reported.

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

Per bystanders, the chemical warehouse contained industrial bleaches, synthetic polymers and chemical peroxide, all of which can intensify fires. Plastic also releases poisonous gases when ignited.

Security personnel are still trying to locate the proprietors of the factory and the warehouse, fire service director Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury told the media.

An probe on whether the warehouse was operating legally is also in progress, he mentioned.

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

Present at the scene is a man seeking urgently for his daughter, Farzana Akhter.

"When I learned of the fire, I hurried to the scene. But I still cannot locate her... I just want my child back," he stated to news media.

The devastating event has once again emphasized the security issues facing Bangladesh's garment industry, which employs numerous of workers and is a significant source of economic income for the country.