Building fire in Bangladesh kills at least 43 people

Fire officials said the fire started in a restaurant and quickly spread to other floors. At least 43 people have died and 22 others are being treated in hospital for burn injuries, Bangladesh Health Minister Samanta Lal Sen told reporters after visiting Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

The scene of a high-rise building fire in Dhaka, Bangladesh on February 29, 2024. Photo: AP

Mr Sen added that 22 of those hospitalized with burns were in critical condition. The cause of the fire was not immediately clear, but it was brought under control after two hours of efforts by 13 fire brigades, according to fire service officials.

Survivor Mohammad Altaf, speaking to reporters, described narrowly escaping the fire through a broken window. He said two of his colleagues were killed.

“When the fire broke out in the front and broke the glass, the cashier and our staff got everyone out. But both of them died later. I ran into the kitchen, broke the window and jumped out to escape,” Altaf said.

Firefighters carry a victim out of the fire. Photo: AP

Fire officials said firefighters used cranes to rescue people from the charred building. Bangladesh Fire and Civil Defense Director General Main Uddin said the fire may have started from a gas leak or a stove.

“It was a dangerous building with gas cylinders on every floor, even on the stairs,” he told reporters.

Fires are common in densely populated Dhaka, which is witnessing a boom in new buildings, often built without proper safety measures. Fires and explosions have been caused by faulty gas cylinders, air conditioning and electrical wiring.

Hoang Anh (according to Reuters, AP)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/chay-toa-nha-o-bangladesh-it-nhat-43-nan-nhan-thiet-mang-va-hang-chuc-nguoi-bi-thuong-post286287.html