Bangladesh: A major fire at a seven-story building in Dhaka leaves 44 people dead and several more wounded

At least 44 individuals lost their lives and nearly 20 others suffered serious injuries at a commercial building on Bailey Road that housed many restaurants in the nation’s capital on Thursday night, according to the Dhaka Tribune.

After embarking on a risky rescue attempt, firefighters managed to save 70 people from the seven-story Green Cosy Cottage, including 42 who were discovered unconscious.

To examine the situation, top law enforcement officers, AFM Bahauddin Nasim, an MP from Dhaka-8, and Health Minister Samanta Lal Sen hurried to the spot.

Sen announced to the public around two in the morning that there had been 33 deaths at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital and ten more at the Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery. There have now been 44 casualties overall, with one more verified fatality at the Central Police Hospital by the Inspector General of Police.

The Dhaka Tribune reports that IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun said at a press conference that 75 people had been rescued, some of whom were given first aid before making a safe return home.

As they battled to contain the fire, which was brought under control at 12:30 am, firefighters revealed that the majority of the victims died from burns and asphyxia after falling from the structure. At one in the morning, the gruesome procedure of moving the dead from the building to a waiting truck started.

Around 9:45 p.m., the “Kacchi Bhai” restaurant on the first floor caught fire. The fire swiftly spread to other floors where diners were seated. With assistance from General Ansar, the Ansar Guard Battalion (AGB), Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and thirteen Fire Service units, they worked nonstop to put out the fire.

Fire authorities said that gas cylinders that were located in restaurant kitchens on many stories were the reason for the fire’s quick spread. The Dhaka Tribune said that the dense smoke in the stairwell made it difficult for people to quickly leave the building, adding to the seriousness of the situation.