Shah Alam, owner of Alam Traders -- the chemical warehouse where a fire killed 16 people on October 14 -- had been running his unlicensed business for 15 years in Mirpur's Shialbari area, workers and fire officials have said.

Over the years, Alam expanded his illegal business but faced no resistance, locals alleged.

Eleven days after the tragedy, law enforcers are yet to arrest the 60-year-old.

After the fire following an explosion, toxic fumes lingered in the area for several days, posing serious health risks. The site has remained cordoned off since then.

Saiful Islam, brother of garment worker Sanwar Hossain, who died in the fire, filed a case against eight people, including Alam, on charges of deaths caused by negligence.

Rubel Alam, brother-in-law of victim Abdul Alim, 14, yesterday said they received the body three days ago after DNA tests.

He told this newspaper that they learned the chemicals were stored illegally in the warehouses after the incident. "The owners of these warehouses cannot evade responsibility for so many deaths. They must face justice and provide compensation."

During visits to the area last week, this correspondent spoke to several locals and workers who said Alam had been doing the chemical trade there for around 15 years.

Abdul Motalib, president of a local unit of Sramik Dal who has lived in the area for four decades, said he had known Alam for 20 years.

"He set up the chemical warehouse on Road No. 4 some 15 years ago. A few years later, he shifted it to the next road," Motalib said.

The area is a densely packed hub of garment and packaging factories, washing plants, printing presses, and chemical warehouses, interspersed with residential buildings next to the Rupnagar Housing Estate and the Bangladesh University of Business and Technology campus.

Residents said Alam owns three residential buildings and three commercial plots in the area, located close to one another.

He lived on the second floor of a six-storey building and ran the chemical business from an office about 100 yards away.

He used to operate from 9:00am to 11:00pm every day, supplying chemicals to clients in Ashulia, Savar, Gazipur, Narayanganj, and different parts of Dhaka, locals said, adding that people from the administration were also seen visiting the office.

Rafiqul Islam, the security guard of Alam's house, said Alam and his family left the building on the afternoon of the incident and have not returned since.

Mokhlesur Rahman, inspector (investigation) of Rupnagar Police Station, told The Daily Star that they have been looking for Alam but could not trace him.

"We found two more chemical warehouses in the next lane. All chemical traders in the area are on the run," he said, adding that they are also investigating how they operated the business.

Asked if Alam maintained any connection with the administration, he said he is new in the police station and did not know about this.

Locals said they knew the chemicals were used for washing plants, but were unaware of their risks.

Rakibul Islam, who runs a tea stall, said Alam's quick rise caught their attention, but they did not know his business was illegal.

"We thought bleaching and detergent powders were stored in the warehouse. We didn't know that so dangerous chemicals were there. People even used to hang out next to the premises and smoke cigarettes," he said.

He also said locals have now agreed that no such chemical warehouses will be allowed in the area. They want the administration to act tough on these businesses.

Inspector Asadul Islam of the Department of Explosives earlier said no licences have been issued for chemical warehouses in the Mirpur area. Due to the high demand created by the presence of garments, dyeing, and washing plants, many warehouses have been set up illegally under the guise of licensed entities.

A Fire Service and Civil Defence official said the warehouse was crammed with chemicals, and large quantities worth several crore taka had been delivered there just a day before the fire.

Mohammad Saleh Uddin, deputy director of Fire Service and a member of the seven-member committee to investigate the incident, said Alam Traders had no documents or approval to operate.

"We've been trying to find Shah Alam to hear his version, but couldn't locate him yet. The chemicals were mainly used for washing plants," he said, adding that the probe is still ongoing.

The committee has been asked to submit its report within 15 working days. Two other probe bodies are also investigating the incident.