Beauty Akhter, a 46-year-old entrepreneur who rose from garment worker to factory owner, faces financial ruin after a fire on Friday night devastated her business, Beauty Fashion. The blaze, which occurred on the topmost floor of a six-storey building on Kalshi Road, destroyed her premises and a completed export order of 40,000 pieces of children's winter wear destined for Saudi Arabia.
The order, which was delayed due to the recent Dhaka airport fire, was ready for shipment, representing years of hard work. In addition to the finished goods, the fire ruined 5 tonnes of imported fabric that were waiting stitching. Both Akhter and her business partner, Shuma Akhter (owner of Shuma Fashion), strongly suspect the fire was not an accident, pointing to potential foul play.
They noted that the gate leading to the staircase from the ground-floor community center was left unsecured. Akhter, who now faces heavy debt, lamented the loss of her eight-year venture, stating, "My life is over." The incident is a tragic setback for a small business owner who employed up to 35 workers.
