In the heart of Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka, a devastating fire engulfed a six-story building late on Thursday, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 43 lives and leaving dozens injured, according to the country’s health minister.
The fire, which originated in a restaurant within the building, rapidly spread to the other floors, as reported by fire service officials.
Health Minister Samanta Lal Sen, after visiting the Dhaka Medical College Hospital, confirmed that 43 people had lost their lives in the fire, while 22 others were receiving treatment for burn injuries. He further added that all 22 patients were in a critical condition.
The cause of the fire remains uncertain. However, after two hours of relentless efforts by 13 firefighting units, the blaze was finally brought under control, as per the fire service officials.
Survivor Mohammad Altaf, in a conversation with reporters, narrated his narrow escape from the deadly fire through a broken window. He sadly mentioned the loss of two of his coworkers in the incident.
“When the fire broke out in the front and shattered the glass, our cashier and servicemen managed to evacuate everyone. But, unfortunately, both of them succumbed to the fire. I had to break a window in the kitchen and jump out to save myself,” Altaf recounted.
Firefighters, using a crane, managed to rescue several people from the burnt building, the fire service officials reported.
Brigadier General Main Uddin, the director of the Bangladesh Fire Service and civil defense, suggested that the fire could have been caused by a gas leak or a stove. “The building was a potential hazard with gas cylinders on every floor, even on the staircases,” he informed reporters.
Since a fire in 2012 and a building collapse in 2013, which together claimed more than 1,200 lives, intense scrutiny of Bangladesh and the major international clothing retailers that manufacture in the country has helped prevent further disasters in the garment sector.
However, in other industries, primarily serving Bangladesh’s thriving domestic economy and without a similar focus on safety, hundreds have lost their lives in fires in recent years.
Fires are a common occurrence in the densely populated city of Dhaka, which has seen a surge in new buildings, often built without adequate safety measures. Faulty gas cylinders, air conditioners, and poor electrical wiring have been the cause of numerous fires and explosions.
Agree with good grammar: Tragic news, my thoughts are with the victims and their families.
Agree with bad punctuation and grammar: so sad, thoughts go out to all involved in this tragedy.