Four killed in Bangladesh building fire; several still feared trapped

At least four people were killed in a deadly fire that broke out in a 22-storey building in Dhaka's Banani area on Thursday, in the latest blaze to hit the Bangladeshi capital.

The incident happened on Thursday afternoon in the building that houses several garment shops and internet service providers.

While several were still feared trapped inside the building, the officials confirmed the death of four people and said that they succumbed to the injuries while they jumped off the building for safety, the Dhaka Tribune reported.

"One person, a man yet to be identified by the authorities, was declared dead at Kurmitola General Hospital," Kazi Shahan Haque, the officer-in-charge of Cantonment police station, confirmed and said the victim fell off the building while trying to escape the fire.

" Similarly, three more male victims were declared dead on arrival by the doctors of United Hospital," Sazzadur Rahman Shuvo, a senior executive of the hospital, was quoted as saying by the paper after he confirmed the deaths.

Apart from 21 fire tenders, Bangladesh Air Force helicopters and Navy commandos have been sent to the spot to douse the blaze.

The people who lost the life were among half a dozen people who jumped off from various floors of the high-rise for safety, resulting in grave injuries, senior officials at the spot said.

While the actual reason behind the blaze was not known, eye witnesses and a government officer at the spot said that the fire broke out on the eight floor of the building and later spread to the other parts.

However, fire service did not comment on what caused the fire.

"Three units of Bangladesh Navy are working to tame the blaze. We have brought around 50 per cent of the fire under control,"Siraj, a Navy officer, said.

Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director Abdullah Ibn Zaid said that three Bangladesh Air Force helicopters are aiding the search and rescue operations, along with teams from the Bangladesh Army and Navy.

"Many have taken shelter on the roof and some are asking for rescue through windows, he said.

Several people have already been rescued from the burning building, officials said.

Last month at least 70 people were killed and over 50 injured when a fast-moving fire swept through an apartment buildings and chemical warehouses in Dhaka's congested Chawkbazar area.