The recent deadly fire in old Dhaka’s Chawkbazar originated from a chemical warehouse on the first floor of Wahed Mansion.

The warehouse belonged to Pearl Trading International which had been importing and distributing perfumes and cosmetics for three decades.

After the blaze, most people of Pearl Trading have disappeared.

Their office in Hatirpool is locked and all phone numbers switched off. Deputy-commissioner of Lalbagh police, Mohammad Ibrahim, said, “We are trying to arrest the owners of the building and when we get them, more information about the warehouses will come out.”

Bangla Tribune has found through independent investigation that the burnt air fresheners, perfumes and other cosmetics belong to Pearl International.

Some of the burnt cases stated an address 66 Moulvibazar, but a visit to the place did not show any showroom, office or warehouse of Pearl.

President of the Moulvibazar business association, Haji Mohammad Enayetullah, said, “We do not know where this company is located.”

He became excited when asked about Pearl International.

This businessman asserts that the fire in Cox’s Bazaar was triggered from gas cylinders and asked the media to also write in that line.

After thorough investigation, it was revealed that Pearl International is owned by non-Bengalis who have been involved in cosmetic and perfume trade since the 80s.

Sources from the Chawkbazar wholesale market say that the owner of Pearl International has businesses worth crores and operate international brand franchises in Gulshan-Banani.

Several sections say that since they have close links with the top layers of authority, they will try to evade responsibility.

A person from the Bangladesh Cosmetics and Toiletries Importers’ Association, told Bangla Tribune that Pearl International is accused of carrying out a dubious trade of using international brand labels on locally produced items.

People say that empty bottles of internationally known perfumes were refilled by Pearl with locally made perfumes.

Meanwhile, two weeks after the fire, the owners of the Wahed Mansion, in which the chemicals were stored and reportedly triggered the fire, have remained elusive.

Inspector of Chawkbazaar thana, Muradul Islam, told Bangla Tribune: “we are trying to arrest the two brothers.”