At six people were killed and over 50 others were injured as a devastating fire broke out in a multi-storeyed building at the Kamal Ataturk Avenue in Dhaka Thursday, police and fire service officials said.
One person, a man yet to be identified by the authorities, was declared dead at Kurmitola General Hospital. Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Cantonment police station Kazi Shahan Haque confirmed the matter saying the victim fell off the building while trying to escape the fire.
Three more male victims were declared dead on arrival by the doctors of United Hospital. Senior Executive Sazzadur Rahman Shuvo of the hospital confirmed the matter, adding that they were trying to escape the blaze and jumped off the building seeking safety.
A fire service official, on condition of anonymity, said around 35 people have been rescued from the building till the filing of this report.
The fire broke out at FR Tower around 12:52pm on Thursday, Dhaka said Fire Service Central Control Room Duty officer Ataur Rahman.
"Twenty firefighting units of the Dhaka Fire Service and Civil Defense are trying to douse the fire," said Fire Service Central Control Room Duty officer Rasel.
According to the control room, several people are still trapped inside the building.
Speaking to the Dhaka Tribune, Navy Officer Siraj said: "Three units of Bangladesh Navy are working to tame the blaze. We have brought around 50% of the fire under control."
A number of eyewitnesses claimed that fire service personnel arrived late at the scene, causing the fire to grow out of control.
There are reports that several people have been critically injured after jumping from the building. Victims were immediately taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. A television channel live report showed at least one person slipping, while trying to slide down from the building.
Responding to a query, Dhaka Electric Supply Company Limited (Desco) Engineer Md Imran Hossain, Said: “The electrical supply line on top of the building has been disconnected to avoid a further deterioration of the ongoing situation.”
Eyewitnesses told the Dhaka Tribune that the fire service brought around five vehicles to the scene of the fire, but they did not immediately use all the resources available to them to bring the situation under control.
A few groups of people, stuck in the building because of the fire, have been rescued by fire service personnel.
Present at the scene, the authorities concerned confirmed that the Air Force, Bangladesh Navy, police and the Fire Service Department are working together to rescue the people still trapped inside the inferno.
Till the filing of this report, the fire is yet to be brought under control.
Responding to a query, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director Abdullah Ibn Zaid said: “Three Bangladesh Air Force Helicopters are aiding the search and rescue operations, along with teams from the Bangladesh Army and Navy. Many have taken shelter on the roof, and some are asking for rescue through windows.”
The officials concerned have reported that several groups of people have already been rescued from the burning building.
