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Six killed in Chawkbazar fire

Fire Service says the plastic factory had no safety measures in place
Staff Correspondent
16 Aug 2022 00:00:00 | Update: 15 Aug 2022 22:26:42
Six killed in Chawkbazar fire
The fire gutted a plastic and polythene factory as well as its warehouses in the Chawkbazar area of Old Dhaka on Monday– Shamsul Haque Ripon

At least six people were killed in a fire that gutted a plastic and polythene factory as well as its warehouses in the Chawkbazar area of Old Dhaka on Monday.

After being informed around 12 noon, 10 firefighting units rushed to the scene and fought the flames until they came under control around 2:20pm, said Md Bazlur Rashid, the deputy assistant director (Dhaka Sadar Zone 1) of Fire Service and Civil Defence. He said six bodies have so far been recovered from the site during search and rescue attempts in the multistorey building, which also houses a restaurant called Barishal Hotel on the ground floor.

The faces of five of the deceased have been burnt beyond identification while the sixth victim’s face suffered partial burns, he said. “We think they were sleeping inside the hotel and they were the first victims after the fire broke out.”

Talking to the Business Post in the late afternoon, Bazlur said they were yet to search the upper floors. “We may find more bodies on those floors.”

Police and Fire Service are yet to identify the dead bodies. But some people were seen searching for their relatives, including Billal, 35, Sharif, 15, Osman, 20, and Swapan, 20. They said these four used to work and live at Barishal Hotel. All of them have been missing since the fire started.

One Abdullah said his brother-in-law Billal worked at that restaurant. “Billal spent the night inside the hotel after finishing late night duty. We haven’t found him yet,” he said around 4:15pm. Another person identifying himself as Osman’s cousin also made the same statement.

Later, both relatives were seen breaking down in tears when firefighters started bringing out the bodies from the gutted building.

Authorities are yet to identify all the deceased but some officials suspect the four missing persons could be among the six deceased.

Meanwhile, locals have alleged that the fire originated from the restaurant following a gas cylinder explosion.

Shahidul Shikdar, a motor mechanic whose shop is adjacent to the building, said he was working when he heard the big explosion. “It felt like an earthquake at first because everything was shaking. Within moments, the fire engulfed the whole building.”

Mohammad Ramjan, a tea seller with a stall near the building, also said that he saw some people run out of the factory when the fire broke out. Then locals tried to put the fire out.

About the source of fire and damage, Fire Service Director (Operation and Maintenance) Lt Col Zillur Rahman said that an investigation committee will be formed after everything is fully under control. “It will determine the source of the fire and the extent of the damage.”

“The factory, its warehouses and adjacent buildings have no minimum fire safety measures put in place. These establishments are very risky,” he said.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner (Lalbagh Division) Md Jafor Hossain said the dead bodies were taken to the morgue at Sir Salimullah Medical College for autopsies. They will be handed over to the families following DNA tests and identification.

Asked whether this factory was illegal or not, both officials said more details will be known after investigations.

Jafor also mentioned that the incident appeared to be an accident. “We have not seen any sign of foul play yet. But necessary legal action will follow if any criminal matter arises.”

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