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At least 16 persons have perished after a enormous fire started at a apparel factory in Bangladesh, with emergency services warning that the death toll could rise.

A total of sixteen bodies have been recovered but were charred impossible to identify, the fire department reported.

Distraught relatives converged outside the multi-story factory in Mirpur, Dhaka on that day in seeking their loved ones still not found.

The inferno, which broke out at the factory around lunchtime, was brought under control after several hours. But an adjacent chemical warehouse remained ablaze, authorities reported.

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

Emergency responders have not determined which of the two buildings ignited initially.

Based on bystanders, the chemical warehouse stored bleaching powder, synthetic polymers and chemical peroxide, all of which can worsen fires. Plastic also releases toxic fumes when ignited.

Security personnel are still trying to locate the operators of the factory and the warehouse, emergency services head Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury briefed the media.

An inquiry on whether the warehouse was running according to regulations is also ongoing, he noted.

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

Among them is a man looking frantically for his daughter, his family member.

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

The devastating event has yet again highlighted the safety concerns facing Bangladesh's apparel manufacturing, which provides jobs for millions of workers and is a major provider of export earnings for the South Asian economy.