ZCZC
BSS-53
BANANI-FIRE-3RD LEAD
Skyscraper inferno kills at least 13 in Banani
DHAKA, March 28, 2019 (BSS) – A fire that tore through a skyscraper
engulfing two adjacent structures in Dhaka’s Banani area killed at least 13
people and wounded scores as salvage campaign is underway to rescue scores
others with armed forces joining hands with fire fighters.
Police and hospital sources initially confirmed seven deaths including
that of a Sri Lankan national a military official later said they found at
least three people who died after being trapped in a lift which was stuck in
the 15th floor of the 22-storey FR Tower, where the blaze originated at
around 12.55 PM. Fire service officials said they could not confirmed the
identities of other three deceased.
Officials and witnesses said three of the victims died after jumping from
the blazing while most others appeared to have died from the blaze effects.
Fire service officials could not immediately comment what sparked the
blaze which quickly spread to two adjacent high-rise buildings while all the
three structures housed offices and commercial entities including restaurants
and a private TV channel.
Over 70 people are being treated at different government and private
health facilities, some of them with critical wounds.
“The fire is now extinguished,” fire service official told newsmen at the
scene as it took 21 fire fighting units over five hours to douse the inferno.
Five military and air force helicopters were deployed to drop water on the
blaze as flames and thick black smoke poured out of the windows and air lift
trapped people while navy commandos extended their hands to the fire service
rescuers.
Several people trapped inside were seen waving frantically from the
building’s windows and roof and shouting for help from windows on the upper
floors of the building.
Passersby stood watching and praying below as heavy smoke deterred rescuers
efforts to get close to them.
Witnesses said three people attempting to escape by climbing out of the
eighth floor soon after the fire began but one fell and declared dead later.
Firefighters shattered the building’s glass walls to free toxic gas while
over a dozen were rescued or they managed to get themselves out from the
burning building.
“A 20-member military team has entered the building with necessary
equipment to salvage the trapped people,” a military officer at the scene
said.
Fire officials said the blaze erupted on the eighth floor of the building
and gradually went upward engulfing ninth, 10th and 11th floors but could not
immediately say what sparked the inferno.
But newsmen and residents in the neighbourhood said it could have
originated from the eighth floor inside the complex.
The fire broke out just over a month after a massive blaze in Dhaka’s old
quarter 21 killed at least 70 people and injured 50 others while fire service
officials attributed the blaze to chemicals illegally stored in an apartment
building there.
BSS/ASG/MRI/TAN/AR/20:05 hrs