Dhaka, Oct. 18 -- The seven-storey factory building gutted in a devastating inferno at the Chattogram Export Processing Zone (CEPZ), country's heart for economy, had no fire safety performance certificate, the Fire Service confirmed.

Fire Service Director for Operations and Maintenance Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury disclosed this after inspecting the scene on Friday afternoon.

He said the factory authorities had only submitted a fire safety plan application but failed to complete the following stages required for approval.

He also noted that the building was constructed without following national building code regulations.After a 17-hour battle to control the blaze, authorities declared the structure highly dangerou...