According to reports, the two buildings are located side by side in front of the Bangladesh University of Business and Technology.

"12 bodies were brought to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital and the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka," Talha Bin Jashim, officer-in-charge of the media cell of the Fire Service headquarters in Dhaka, told Xinhua news agency of China.

According to reports, 12 firefighting units rushed to the spot and brought the flames under control.

The blaze reportedly began on the third floor of the seven-storey building.

The chemical warehouse reportedly contained hazardous materials, including bleaching powder, plastic, and hydrogen peroxide.

The death toll in the blaze is likely to rise, a fire official, who did not want to be named, told Xinhua.

The cause of the fire is still not known.

Rana Plaza Tragedy

In 2013, more than 1100 people died after the multi-story Rana Plaza building collapsed.

Located close to Dhaka, the building housed several garment factories.