Fire in Bangladesh building results in 43 deaths and multiple injuries

Health authorities reported that a fire tore through a seven-story building in an upscale neighborhood of the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka late Thursday, killing at least 43 people and injuring dozens. “So far, 43 people have died from the fire,” stated Bangladesh’s health minister, Samanta Lal Sen, to AFP after visiting Dhaka Medical College Hospital and an adjoining burn hospital. Sen mentioned that at least 40 injured people were receiving treatment in the city’s main burn hospital.

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Fire Originated in Popular Biriyani Restaurant on Dhaka’s Bailey Road

Fire department official Mohammad Shihab reported that the blaze started in a popular biriyani restaurant on Dhaka’s Bailey Road at 9:50 pm Thursday (1550 GMT), spreading rapidly to the upper floors and trapping numerous individuals. Firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control within two hours, rescuing 75 people alive, as stated by the fire service. The building on Bailey Road primarily housed restaurants, along with several clothing and mobile phone shops. Sohel, a restaurant manager, described witnessing smoke on the sixth floor, prompting many to rush upstairs.

Using a water pipe, they descended the building, though some sustained injuries from jumping. Others were stranded on the rooftop, calling for assistance. Kamruzzaman Majumdar, a professor of environmental science, shared his relief on Facebook after safely rescuing women and children from the rooftop. Fires in apartment buildings and factories are frequent in Bangladesh due to inadequate enforcement of safety regulations. In July 2021, a fire engulfed a food processing factory, claiming the lives of at least 52 people, including many children.

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