A massive fire broke out at the cargo terminal of Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Saturday following which all flight operations at the airport were suspended by the authorities. According to local media, the fire erupted at the airport’s cargo village, where imported goods are stored, near Gate No. 8 at around 2:15 pm. Biman Bangladesh Airlines spokesperson Kawser Mahmud said teams from the airport fire department, the Bangladesh Air Force fire unit, and other agencies promptly responded and are working to douse the fire. Fire Service spokesman Talha Bin Zasim said nine firefighting units were initially deployed to control the fire, with 15 more heading to the scene. Officials said that as flames intensified, aircraft parked in nearby hangars were towed to safer locations.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bangladesh?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bangladesh</a> | Fire breaks out in the cargo area of Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, forcing suspension of all flight operations. 32 firefighting units are on site, and all aircraft are confirmed safe. Cause and damage yet to be determined. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DhakaAirport?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DhakaAirport</a>… <a href="https://t.co/Szodqpl3Dh">pic.twitter.com/Szodqpl3Dh</a>&mdash; DD News (@DDNewslive) <a href="https://twitter.com/DDNewslive/status/1979506497630662793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;&nbsp;Confirming the incident, Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) Executive Director SM Ragib Samad told the media outlet Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), “The fire broke out at the cargo area of the airport, and all relevant fire units are working to bring the blaze under control.”“We are handling an emergency situation; please cooperate with us. Our airport fire service teams are working to control the fire at Shahjalal International Airport. Fire units from the Air Force and Civil Defence are also engaged. You will receive accurate information in due time,” he said in an audio message circulated to the media.He added that flight operations have been temporarily suspended due to the fire.&nbsp;<h2>Dhaka-bound international flights diverted to Chattogram, Kolkata</h2>&nbsp;Several Dhaka-bound international flights were diverted, with aircraft landing in Chattogram and Kolkata, while a number of departing flights remained on the taxiway awaiting clearance.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">VIDEO | Dhaka, Bangladesh: A fire broke out at a section of the Cargo Village of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport this afternoon. More details awaited.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dhaka?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Dhaka</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AirportFire?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AirportFire</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HazratShahjalal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HazratShahjalal</a> (Full video available on PTI Videos – <a href="https://t.co/n147TvqRQz">https://t.co/n147TvqRQz</a>) <a href="https://t.co/flGkHso2xq">pic.twitter.com/flGkHso2xq</a>&mdash; Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) <a href="https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/1979501934768800160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;&nbsp;Bangladesh Civil Aviation Authority, the Fire Service, and two fire units of the Bangladesh Air Force are working to douse the fire.Authorities said there were no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.&nbsp;“Thirty units are currently working at the site while six more are on the way,” Tahla Bin Jashim, an officer at the Fire Service media cell, told media around 4 pm.&nbsp;“The cause of the fire and the extent of damage are yet to be determined. So far, no casualties have been reported,” he said.&nbsp;WATCH: Pak-Afghanistan clash: Pakistan strikes target Afghanistan's Paktika province<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pak-afghanistan-clash-pakistan-strikes-target-afghanistan-s-paktika-province-1760788403278/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/pak-afghanistan-clash-pakistan-strikes-target-afghanistan-s-paktika-province-1760788403278/embed</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

Bangladesh Civil Aviation Authority, the Fire Service, and two fire units of the Bangladesh Air Force are working to douse the fire. Authorities said there were no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

A massive fire broke out at the cargo terminal of Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Saturday following which all flight operations at the airport were suspended by the authorities. According to local media, the fire erupted at the airport’s cargo village, where imported goods are stored, near Gate No. 8 at around 2:15 pm. Biman Bangladesh Airlines spokesperson Kawser Mahmud said teams from the airport fire department, the Bangladesh Air Force fire unit, and other agencies promptly responded and are working to douse the fire. Fire Service spokesman Talha Bin Zasim said nine firefighting units were initially deployed to control the fire, with 15 more heading to the scene. Officials said that as flames intensified, aircraft parked in nearby hangars were towed to safer locations.

Bangladesh Civil Aviation Authority, the Fire Service, and two fire units of the Bangladesh Air Force are working to douse the fire. Authorities said there were no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Massive fire breaks out at Dhaka’s international airport; all flight operations suspended

A major fire broke through a garment factory and an adjacent chemical warehouse in Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka, on Tuesday (October 14), killing at least nine workers and leaving eight others injured, authorities confirmed. The fire is believed to have started at the chemical storage facility before quickly spreading to the neighbouring factory, said Talha Bin Jasim from the Fire Service and Civil Defence’s Media Wing, as quoted by state news agency BSS.&nbsp;&nbsp;Rescue teams recovered nine bodies from the first and second floors of the factory building, Fire Service and Civil Defence Director (Operation and Maintenance) Lt Col Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury told reporters. Eight firefighting units managed to bring the factory fire under control after nearly three hours, though flames continued to rage inside the adjacent chemical warehouse.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/qatar-airways-doha-hong-kong-flight-makes-emergency-landing-in-ahmedabad-after-mid-air-technical-glitch-1760442658991">Qatar Airways Doha–Hong Kong flight makes emergency landing in Ahmedabad after mid-air technical glitch</a>&nbsp;Bangladesh stands as the world’s second-largest exporter of garments after China, with the industry providing livelihoods to nearly four million workers—most of them women. Generating close to $40 billion in annual export revenue, largely from markets in the US and Europe, the sector is a vital pillar of the national economy.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nobel-leak-norway-probes-espionage-after-bets-on-maria-corina-machado-soar-1760435624292">Nobel leak? Norway probes espionage after bets on Maria Corina Machado soar</a>&nbsp;However, it has long been under the spotlight for its weak enforcement of industrial safety norms. Repeated tragedies—ranging from factory fires to building collapses—have exposed serious lapses in monitoring and violations of safety and construction regulations. Inadequate fire protection and unsafe building practices result in dozens of such incidents every year, casting a shadow over an otherwise thriving textile industry that contributes over 10 percent to Bangladesh’s GDP and employs millions.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/madagascar-president-dissolves-national-assembly-ahead-of-ouster-vote-is-the-move-legal-1760437560081">Madagascar president dissolves national assembly ahead of ouster vote – Is the move legal?</a>

9 dead, several injured in fire at Bangladesh garment factory and chemical warehouse

A major fire broke through a garment factory and an adjacent chemical warehouse in Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka, on Tuesday (October 14), killing at least nine workers and leaving eight others injured, authorities confirmed. The fire is believed to have started at the chemical storage facility before quickly spreading to the neighbouring factory, said Talha Bin Jasim from the Fire Service and Civil Defence’s Media Wing, as quoted by state news agency BSS. Rescue teams recovered nine bodies from the first and second floors of the factory building, Fire Service and Civil Defence Director (Operation and Maintenance) Lt Col Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury told reporters. Eight firefighting units managed to bring the factory fire under control after nearly three hours, though flames continued to rage inside the adjacent chemical warehouse. Also Read: Qatar Airways Doha–Hong Kong flight makes emergency landing in Ahmedabad after mid-air technical glitch Bangladesh stands as the world’s second-largest exporter of garments after China, with the industry providing livelihoods to nearly four million workers—most of them women. Generating close to $40 billion in annual export revenue, largely from markets in the US and Europe, the sector is a vital pillar of the national economy. Also Read: Nobel leak? Norway probes espionage after bets on Maria Corina Machado soar However, it has long been under the spotlight for its weak enforcement of industrial safety norms. Repeated tragedies—ranging from factory fires to building collapses—have exposed serious lapses in monitoring and violations of safety and construction regulations. Inadequate fire protection and unsafe building practices result in dozens of such incidents every year, casting a shadow over an otherwise thriving textile industry that contributes over 10 percent to Bangladesh’s GDP and employs millions. Also Read: Madagascar president dissolves national assembly ahead of ouster vote – Is the move legal?

At least nine people were killed and multiple injured after a massive fire swept through a garment factory and adjacent chemical warehouse in Dhaka

A massive fire broke out at a seven-story building in Bangladesh's capital city of Dhaka. As per reports, the blaze erupted in a popular biryani restaurant on Bailey Road. Later, it swiftly engulfed the upper floors, trapping numerous people who were present at the site.

Bangladesh: Over 45 killed, many injured in devastating Dhaka building fire

Investigators probing the Rohingya camp fire that happened earlier this month have concluded that it was a "planned and purposeful act of sabotage". The March 5 blaze ripped through the world's largest refugee camp in Bangladesh, destroying 2,800 shelters and leaving 15,000 Rohingya refugees homeless. There were no casualties reported from the incident. A seven-person panel was formed to probe the tragic incident.

“The fire was a planned act of sabotage,” senior district government official Abu Sufian, head of the seven-member probe committee, said.

Sufian, who led the probe, said that "militant groups" started the fire to "dominate" the camps. He added that investigators found that fires started in several places in the Cox Bazaar camp at the same time, which proves that it was a planned incident. It affected more than 90 facilities homes, schools, medical clinics and service points.&nbsp;

The probe group interviewed over 150 people to understand what led to the massive fire. It has also recommended that further investigation is needed to identify the perpetrators.&nbsp;

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“We recommended further investigation by the law-enforcing agency to identify the groups behind the incident,” he said.

The panel also said that to avoid future fires, a separate fire service unit should be set up for the Rohingya camps. It further recommended the widening of each block of Rohingya camp to accommodate fire service vehicles. Water cisterns should be constructed and the camps should use less flammable materials in shelters, it said.

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About the Rohingya camp fire

The probe panel report said that the fire broke out at 2:30 pm local time in Camp 11 of Cox Bazaar in south-eastern Bangladesh and was brought under control by evening. More than one million Rohingya refugees live in tens of thousands of huts in the camps. These huts are made of bamboo and thin plastic sheeting in camps in the border district of Cox's Bazaar.

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

Investigators probing the Rohingya camp fire that happened earlier this month have concluded that it was a "planned and purposeful act of sabotage". The March 5 blaze ripped through the world's largest refugee camp in Bangladesh, destroying 2,800 shelters and leaving 15,000 Rohingya refugees homeless.

Investigators probing the Rohingya camp fire that happened earlier this month have concluded that it was a "planned and purposeful act of sabotage". The March 5 blaze ripped through the world's largest refugee camp in Bangladesh, destroying 2,800 shelters and leaving 15,000 Rohingya refugees homeless. There were no casualties reported from the incident. A seven-person panel was formed to probe the tragic incident. “The fire was a planned act of sabotage,” senior district government official Abu Sufian, head of the seven-member probe committee, said. Sufian, who led the probe, said that "militant groups" started the fire to "dominate" the camps. He added that investigators found that fires started in several places in the Cox Bazaar camp at the same time, which proves that it was a planned incident. It affected more than 90 facilities homes, schools, medical clinics and service points. The probe group interviewed over 150 people to understand what led to the massive fire. It has also recommended that further investigation is needed to identify the perpetrators. × “We recommended further investigation by the law-enforcing agency to identify the groups behind the incident,” he said. The panel also said that to avoid future fires, a separate fire service unit should be set up for the Rohingya camps. It further recommended the widening of each block of Rohingya camp to accommodate fire service vehicles. Water cisterns should be constructed and the camps should use less flammable materials in shelters, it said. Also Read | Bangladesh: Massive fire in Rohingya refugee camp in Cox's Bazar About the Rohingya camp fire The probe panel report said that the fire broke out at 2:30 pm local time in Camp 11 of Cox Bazaar in south-eastern Bangladesh and was brought under control by evening. More than one million Rohingya refugees live in tens of thousands of huts in the camps. These huts are made of bamboo and thin plastic sheeting in camps in the border district of Cox's Bazaar. (With inputs from agencies)

Rohingya camp fire was 'planned and purposeful act of sabotage,' probe panel says

A huge fire in a container depot in southern Bangladesh claimed the lives of at least 49&nbsp;people while around 300 others were injured on Sunday, according to official sources. According to fire service official Jalal Ahmed, the fire broke out at a container storage facility in Sitakunda, around 40 km from the Chittagong port. The fire started around midnight and Ruhul Amin Sikder, spokesman for the Bangladesh Inland Container Association (BICA), said that the fire probably got worse because of the containers carrying chemicals present in the private depot including hydrogen peroxide. The fire also destroyed millions of dollars of garment products which were kept in the container depot.

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"The death toll from the fire has risen to 34," Elias Chowdhury, chief doctor of the Chittagong region in southern Bangladesh, told AFP. "More than 300 people are injured."

The authorities rushed to the scene and local police chief Abul Kalam Azad told AFP that a number of firefighters were also injured from an explosion that took place as they attempted to douse the fire.

“Some 170 people were injured including at least 40 firefighters and 10 police officers. Three firefighters were also killed,” he told AFP while explaining the rescue efforts by the authorities.

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The AFP report further stated that the injured individuals were taken to different hospitals in the nearby areas and 20 people are still in critical condition after sustaining serious burns.

Mominur Rahman, chief administrator of Chittagong district, confirmed that the fire is currently under control but there are “still several pockets of fire in the depot”.

“Firefighters are trying to control these pocket fires,” he said according to the AFP report.

(With inputs from agencies)

A huge fire in a container depot in southern Bangladesh claimed the lives of at least 49 people while around 300 others were injured on Sunday, according to official sources.

A huge fire in a container depot in southern Bangladesh claimed the lives of at least 49 people while around 300 others were injured on Sunday, according to official sources. According to fire service official Jalal Ahmed, the fire broke out at a container storage facility in Sitakunda, around 40 km from the Chittagong port. The fire started around midnight and Ruhul Amin Sikder, spokesman for the Bangladesh Inland Container Association (BICA), said that the fire probably got worse because of the containers carrying chemicals present in the private depot including hydrogen peroxide. The fire also destroyed millions of dollars of garment products which were kept in the container depot. Also read | In pics - Greece evacuates outskirts of Athens after wildfire threat "The death toll from the fire has risen to 34," Elias Chowdhury, chief doctor of the Chittagong region in southern Bangladesh, told AFP. "More than 300 people are injured." The authorities rushed to the scene and local police chief Abul Kalam Azad told AFP that a number of firefighters were also injured from an explosion that took place as they attempted to douse the fire. “Some 170 people were injured including at least 40 firefighters and 10 police officers. Three firefighters were also killed,” he told AFP while explaining the rescue efforts by the authorities. Also read | North Korea test-fires ballistic missile after US, South Korea stage drills The AFP report further stated that the injured individuals were taken to different hospitals in the nearby areas and 20 people are still in critical condition after sustaining serious burns. Mominur Rahman, chief administrator of Chittagong district, confirmed that the fire is currently under control but there are “still several pockets of fire in the depot”. “Firefighters are trying to control these pocket fires,” he said according to the AFP report. (With inputs from agencies)

Bangladesh depot fire near Chittagong claims 49 lives, at least 300 injured

The owner of the Bangladesh factory, the fire at which killed 52 people was arrested and charged with murder on Saturday. Seven others have been arrested. It has now emerged that children as young as 11 had been working there.

The fire at the factory broke out on Thursday and raged for more than a day. A separate inquiry into the use of child labour has been launched.

Jayedul Alam, police chief for Narayanganj district where the factory is located, said the entrance had been padlocked at the time of the blaze and the factory breached multiple safety regulations.

"It was a deliberate murder," the police chief told AFP. All eight people detained face murder charges.

Before his arrest, Hashem told the Daily Star newspaper the fire "may have been a result of workers' carelessness", suggesting a discarded cigarette could have sparked the carnage.

Emergency services found 48 of the bodies on third floor of Hashem Food an Beverage factory outside Dhaka

The fire department said the exit door to the main staircase had been padlocked and highly flammable chemicals and plastics had been stored in the building.

Monnujan Sufian, state minister for labour, said inquiries had begun into the use of child workers at the factory.

(With inputs from agencies)

The owner of the Bangladesh factory, the fire at which killed 52 people was arrested and charged with murder on Saturday. Seven others have been arrested. It has now emerged that children as young as 11 had been working there.

The owner of the Bangladesh factory, the fire at which killed 52 people was arrested and charged with murder on Saturday. Seven others have been arrested. It has now emerged that children as young as 11 had been working there. The fire at the factory broke out on Thursday and raged for more than a day. A separate inquiry into the use of child labour has been launched. Jayedul Alam, police chief for Narayanganj district where the factory is located, said the entrance had been padlocked at the time of the blaze and the factory breached multiple safety regulations. "It was a deliberate murder," the police chief told AFP. All eight people detained face murder charges. Before his arrest, Hashem told the Daily Star newspaper the fire "may have been a result of workers' carelessness", suggesting a discarded cigarette could have sparked the carnage. Emergency services found 48 of the bodies on third floor of Hashem Food an Beverage factory outside Dhaka The fire department said the exit door to the main staircase had been padlocked and highly flammable chemicals and plastics had been stored in the building. Monnujan Sufian, state minister for labour, said inquiries had begun into the use of child workers at the factory. (With inputs from agencies)

Bangladesh factory fire: Owner charged with murder

At least five people were killed and dozens injured in Bangladesh on Saturday after police opened fire on a crowd of workers protesting to demand unpaid wages and a pay rise at a Chinese-backed power plant, officials and police said.

Police opened fire after about 2,000 of the protesters began hurling bricks and stones at officers at the construction site of the coal-fired plant in the southeastern city of Chittagong, local police official Azizul Islam told Reuters.

Four protesters died at the scene and another died in hospital, he said.

"We're trying to control the situation," Islam said, adding that at least six police officers were among those injured.

The workers attacked and set fire to several structures at the 1,320-megawatt power plant, located 265 km (165 miles) southeast of the capital,&nbsp;Dhaka, he added.

Local government official Saiduzzaman Chowdhury said the workers were protesting over unpaid wages and to press demands for a pay rise and reduced hours during the holy month of Ramadan, which started this week, when Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset.

Several of the injured workers had gunshot wounds and were taken to a hospital in Chittagong, he said, adding that the five people who were killed had all been shot.

The $2.4-billion power plant is a major source of foreign investment into Bangladesh, and one of a series of projects that Beijing is pushing to cultivate closer ties with&nbsp;Dhaka.

In 2016, China's SEPCOIII Electric Power Construction signed a deal with S Alam Group, a Bangladeshi conglomerate responsible for construction work at the site.

During that year, four protesters opposed to its construction were killed when police opened fire during clashes between villagers who were demonstrating both for and against the project.

At least five people were killed and dozens injured in Bangladesh on Saturday after police opened fire on a crowd of workers protesting to demand unpaid wages and a pay rise at a Chinese-backed power plant, officials and police said.

At least five people were killed and dozens injured in Bangladesh on Saturday after police opened fire on a crowd of workers protesting to demand unpaid wages and a pay rise at a Chinese-backed power plant, officials and police said. Police opened fire after about 2,000 of the protesters began hurling bricks and stones at officers at the construction site of the coal-fired plant in the southeastern city of Chittagong, local police official Azizul Islam told Reuters. Four protesters died at the scene and another died in hospital, he said. "We're trying to control the situation," Islam said, adding that at least six police officers were among those injured. The workers attacked and set fire to several structures at the 1,320-megawatt power plant, located 265 km (165 miles) southeast of the capital, Dhaka, he added. Local government official Saiduzzaman Chowdhury said the workers were protesting over unpaid wages and to press demands for a pay rise and reduced hours during the holy month of Ramadan, which started this week, when Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. Several of the injured workers had gunshot wounds and were taken to a hospital in Chittagong, he said, adding that the five people who were killed had all been shot. The $2.4-billion power plant is a major source of foreign investment into Bangladesh, and one of a series of projects that Beijing is pushing to cultivate closer ties with Dhaka. In 2016, China's SEPCOIII Electric Power Construction signed a deal with S Alam Group, a Bangladeshi conglomerate responsible for construction work at the site. During that year, four protesters opposed to its construction were killed when police opened fire during clashes between villagers who were demonstrating both for and against the project.

Five people killed as police fire at protesting workers in Bangladesh

The UNHCR said more than 550 homes sheltering about 3,500 people as well as 150 shops were either totally or partially destroyed in the fire.

Bangladesh Cox's Bazar Fire: Blaze razes at least 500 houses in Rohingya Camp

With the death of 19 more people, the toll from the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/workers-jump-to-their-deaths-as-dhaka-office-block-fire-kills-19-206322"> deadly fire at a high-rise office building in Bangladesh's capital</a> rose to 25, fire officials said.

A massive fire engulfed a 22-storey building in Dhaka's posh Banani area on Thursday, in the second major blaze to hit the capital since last month.

The incident, in the building that houses several garment shops and internet service providers, left several people trapped inside as the blaze spread to two adjacent buildings.

Nineteen bodies were recovered from inside the building. A total of 25 deaths have been confirmed and the number of people injured is 76 in the deadly fire that broke out at in Dhaka's Banani area, a fire service official was quoted as saying by the Dhaka Tribune.

The injured are now being treated at Dhaka Medical College Hospital's burn unit.

The Fire Service Duty Officer Mizanur Rahman claimed the fire was brought under control at around 4:45 pm on Thursday.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Hundreds of people have been rescued from the building, the report said.

Fire Service Deputy Director Dilip Kumar Ghosh said that several people had panicked and leapt from the building, which led to the increased casualties.

At least six of the killed, including a Sri Lankan national, died after they jumped off from various floors of the high-rise building for safety.

The building had narrow staircases and lacked firefighting capacity. It is also of note that the building reportedly caught fire over a decade ago in 2008, Ghosh 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.

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.

On February 20, at least 70 people were killed and over 50 injured when a fast-moving fire swept through apartment buildings and chemical warehouses in Dhaka's congested Chawkbazar area.

In 2012, a fire at a nine-storey garment factory near Dhaka killed 111 workers.&nbsp;

With the death of 19 more people, the toll from the deadly fire at a high-rise office building in Bangladesh's capital rose to 25, fire officials said. A massive fire engulfed a 22-storey building in Dhaka's posh Banani area on Thursday, in the second major blaze to hit the capital since last month.

With the death of 19 more people, the toll from the deadly fire at a high-rise office building in Bangladesh's capital rose to 25, fire officials said. A massive fire engulfed a 22-storey building in Dhaka's posh Banani area on Thursday, in the second major blaze to hit the capital since last month. The incident, in the building that houses several garment shops and internet service providers, left several people trapped inside as the blaze spread to two adjacent buildings. Nineteen bodies were recovered from inside the building. A total of 25 deaths have been confirmed and the number of people injured is 76 in the deadly fire that broke out at in Dhaka's Banani area, a fire service official was quoted as saying by the Dhaka Tribune. The injured are now being treated at Dhaka Medical College Hospital's burn unit. The Fire Service Duty Officer Mizanur Rahman claimed the fire was brought under control at around 4:45 pm on Thursday. Hundreds of people have been rescued from the building, the report said. Fire Service Deputy Director Dilip Kumar Ghosh said that several people had panicked and leapt from the building, which led to the increased casualties. At least six of the killed, including a Sri Lankan national, died after they jumped off from various floors of the high-rise building for safety. The building had narrow staircases and lacked firefighting capacity. It is also of note that the building reportedly caught fire over a decade ago in 2008, Ghosh 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. 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. On February 20, at least 70 people were killed and over 50 injured when a fast-moving fire swept through apartment buildings and chemical warehouses in Dhaka's congested Chawkbazar area. In 2012, a fire at a nine-storey garment factory near Dhaka killed 111 workers.

Bangladesh fire death toll rises to 25: Officials

Relatives grieve as rescuers search for victims of Bangladesh fire that killed at least 19

A fast-moving fire swept through adjoining apartment buildings and chemical warehouses in a historic part of the Bangladesh capital Dhaka, killing at least 70 people and injuring several others, the latest such deadly blaze in the country.

Officials said the fire broke out at night a chemical warehouse on the ground floor of a four-storey building named Hazi Wahed Mansion behind a mosque in Old Dhaka's congested Chawkbazar area on Wednesday night and the flames then quickly spread through four other buildings nearby, including a community centre where a wedding party was on.

"The salvage campaign is ending here," mayor of Dhaka South Sayeed Khokon said.

Fire officials said that the blaze has claimed at least 70 lives so far.

Earlier, fire service control room spokesman Kamrul Ahsan said that the death toll was 81. However, it was later revised downward to at least 70.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police officials said the fire spread rapidly due to the multiple chemical godowns that were situated in the area.

State-run Dhaka Medical College Hospital's director Brigadier General AKM Nasiruddin, however, feared that the toll may rise as several people were being treated at the facility with critical burn injuries.

Khokon called off the rescue operation around 12:10 PM after nearly 14 hours of efforts. Two-hundred fire-fighters from 37 units doused the blaze, making their way to the scene through narrow lanes with fire engines.

"Some of the bodies were burned very badly, difficult to be identified... Of the victims, five are children and nine women," a doctor said.

Bangladesh's fire service chief Ali Ahmed said the blaze may have started with a gas cylinder before quickly spreading through the building where chemicals were stored.

"The flames raced through four adjoining buildings, which were also used as chemical warehouses. There was a traffic jam when the fire broke out. It spread so quickly that people could not escape," he said.

TV images showed the main gate of one of the buildings was locked, leaving its residents trapped, unable to escape the blaze as it swept through its five storeys.

Witnesses said the victims also included passersby, some people who were eating food at a nearby restaurant and some members of a wedding party.

Over 50 people, including women and children, were also injured and admitted to nearby hospitals, including Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) and Sir Salimullah Medical College Hospital.

Some of the residents were injured after they jumped off the building.

The district administration will provide 20,000 takas ($238) to the victims' families for burial, Additional Deputy Commissioner Shafiqul said.

The officials said narrow lanes made it difficult for the fire engines to reach the spot. The firefighters used helicopters and long hose pipes to set off the blaze.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina mourned the casualties and ordered the best possible treatment for those injured. State-run facilities were asked to provide free of cost services to the injured.

The four-storey building where the fire started is at the risk of collapsing due to damage, according to media reports.

The first floor of the building was being used as a warehouse of plastic goods, cosmetics and perfume. Some families lived on the upper floors, according to residents.

The ground floor of the building, where the fire originated, had several shops.

The fire from the building immediately caused an electric transformer to explode, which set ablaze several cars parked on the alley. The alley was packed with people because of a wedding ceremony that was being held in the nearby community centre.

An investigation panel has been formed to identify the reason behind the fire.

The fire brings back the terrifying memories of another massive blaze in 2010 in an old Dhaka building at Nimtoli, which was also used as a chemical warehouse, that killed more than 120 people in one of the worst fire tragedies in Bangladesh.

It had sparked a public outcry, demanding the relocation of chemical warehouses and stores from the area, but little has been done in the last nine years. The authorities had listed 800 warehouses in the neighbourhood for their transfer to Keraniganj on the outskirts of the capital.

The lack of safety regulations in the country was highlighted in 2013 when over 1,100 people died and thousands more were injured when a building housing garment factories in Dhaka collapsed.&nbsp;

A fast-moving fire swept through adjoining apartment buildings and chemical warehouses in a historic part of the Bangladesh capital Dhaka, killing at least 70 people and injuring several others, the latest such deadly blaze in the country.

A fast-moving fire swept through adjoining apartment buildings and chemical warehouses in a historic part of the Bangladesh capital Dhaka, killing at least 70 people and injuring several others, the latest such deadly blaze in the country. Officials said the fire broke out at night a chemical warehouse on the ground floor of a four-storey building named Hazi Wahed Mansion behind a mosque in Old Dhaka's congested Chawkbazar area on Wednesday night and the flames then quickly spread through four other buildings nearby, including a community centre where a wedding party was on. "The salvage campaign is ending here," mayor of Dhaka South Sayeed Khokon said. Fire officials said that the blaze has claimed at least 70 lives so far. Earlier, fire service control room spokesman Kamrul Ahsan said that the death toll was 81. However, it was later revised downward to at least 70. Dhaka Metropolitan Police officials said the fire spread rapidly due to the multiple chemical godowns that were situated in the area. State-run Dhaka Medical College Hospital's director Brigadier General AKM Nasiruddin, however, feared that the toll may rise as several people were being treated at the facility with critical burn injuries. Khokon called off the rescue operation around 12:10 PM after nearly 14 hours of efforts. Two-hundred fire-fighters from 37 units doused the blaze, making their way to the scene through narrow lanes with fire engines. "Some of the bodies were burned very badly, difficult to be identified... Of the victims, five are children and nine women," a doctor said. Bangladesh's fire service chief Ali Ahmed said the blaze may have started with a gas cylinder before quickly spreading through the building where chemicals were stored. "The flames raced through four adjoining buildings, which were also used as chemical warehouses. There was a traffic jam when the fire broke out. It spread so quickly that people could not escape," he said. TV images showed the main gate of one of the buildings was locked, leaving its residents trapped, unable to escape the blaze as it swept through its five storeys. Witnesses said the victims also included passersby, some people who were eating food at a nearby restaurant and some members of a wedding party. Over 50 people, including women and children, were also injured and admitted to nearby hospitals, including Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) and Sir Salimullah Medical College Hospital. Some of the residents were injured after they jumped off the building. The district administration will provide 20,000 takas ($238) to the victims' families for burial, Additional Deputy Commissioner Shafiqul said. The officials said narrow lanes made it difficult for the fire engines to reach the spot. The firefighters used helicopters and long hose pipes to set off the blaze. President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina mourned the casualties and ordered the best possible treatment for those injured. State-run facilities were asked to provide free of cost services to the injured. The four-storey building where the fire started is at the risk of collapsing due to damage, according to media reports. The first floor of the building was being used as a warehouse of plastic goods, cosmetics and perfume. Some families lived on the upper floors, according to residents. The ground floor of the building, where the fire originated, had several shops. The fire from the building immediately caused an electric transformer to explode, which set ablaze several cars parked on the alley. The alley was packed with people because of a wedding ceremony that was being held in the nearby community centre. An investigation panel has been formed to identify the reason behind the fire. The fire brings back the terrifying memories of another massive blaze in 2010 in an old Dhaka building at Nimtoli, which was also used as a chemical warehouse, that killed more than 120 people in one of the worst fire tragedies in Bangladesh. It had sparked a public outcry, demanding the relocation of chemical warehouses and stores from the area, but little has been done in the last nine years. The authorities had listed 800 warehouses in the neighbourhood for their transfer to Keraniganj on the outskirts of the capital. The lack of safety regulations in the country was highlighted in 2013 when over 1,100 people died and thousands more were injured when a building housing garment factories in Dhaka collapsed.

Bangladesh: 70 killed as massive fire spreads through chemical warehouses in Dhaka

At least 70 people were killed when fire tore through crumbling apartment blocks in a historic part of Dhaka, setting off a chain of explosions and a wall of flames down nearby streets, officials said Thursday.&nbsp;

It started in one building where chemicals for deodorants and other household uses were illegally stored and spread at lightning speed to four nearby buildings, the fire service said.&nbsp;

People became trapped by the flames at a nearby bridal party and a restaurant. TV images showed the gates to one building were chained up so residents were unable to escape.&nbsp;

Traffic jams in the clogged narrow streets held up the rescue operation.

Bangladesh fire chief Ali Ahmed said at least 70 people were killed but that the toll would likely rise.&nbsp;

"The number of bodies may increase. The search is still going on," he told AFP.

Doctors said at least 10 of the scores of injured were in critical condition.

Firefighters who took almost 12 hours to bring the fire under control, went through the blackened floors of the building, littered with spray cans, looking for bodies.

The fire started at about 10.40pm (1640 GMT) on Wednesday at Chawkbazar in the old Mughal part of the capital.

Ahmed said it may have been started by a gas cylinder and quickly spread through the building where chemicals were stored in rooms alongside the apartments.

Chemicals used for household products were also stored in the nearby buildings. They exploded as the fire spread, witnesses said. &nbsp;

"There was a traffic jam when the fire broke out. It spread so quickly that people could not escape," the fire chief said.

Another fire official told reporters the blaze was under control but was not extinguished despite the efforts of more than 200 firefighters.

"It will take time. This is not like any other fire," he said, adding that the inferno had been made more devastating by the "highly combustible" chemicals.

Fire trucks had struggled in the narrow streets to reach the scene and there was also a lack of water for the battle, officials said.

The main gate of one five storey building was chained up, trapping residents inside, according to images shown on Bangladesh television.

'Flames were everywhere' 
Members of a bridal party in a nearby community centre were also caught in the fire and many were injured. Others were caught in small restaurants.

Dhaka deputy police commissioner Ibrahim Khan said at least two cars and 10 cycle rickshaws were burned in the fire.

"The victims included passersby, some people who were eating food at a restaurants and some members of the bridal party," he told AFP.

"I saw the charred body of a woman who was holding her daughter in her lap as their rickshaw was caught in the fire," said one witness.&nbsp;

Haji Abdul Kader, whose shop was destroyed, said he only survived the blaze as as he had left to go to a pharmacy.

"When I was at the pharmacy, I heard a big bang. I turned back and saw the whole street, which was jam packed with cars and rickshaws, in flames. Flames were everywhere," he told AFP.

"I got burned and rushed to hospital," he said.

Doctors at Dhaka Medical College Hospital said at least 55 people were injured, including 10 in a critical condition.

Hundreds of people rushed to the hospital looking for missing relatives.&nbsp;

However, most of the bodies of the dead were charred beyond recognition.&nbsp;

Sohag Hossain, one of the injured, told the Daily Star that he and two friends were working at a plastic factory in one of the buildings at the time of the fire.&nbsp;

They heard an explosion and could not escape the flames.

A similar blaze in 2010 in an old Dhaka building, which was also used as a chemical warehouse, killed more than 120 people in one of the worst fire disasters in the city of 20 million people. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Dhaka authorities launched a crackdown on chemical warehouses in residential areas following the blaze, but efforts to rein in the practice have waned.

Many buildings in Bangladesh lack adequate fire safety measures and the enforcement of fire regulations in factories and apartment buildings is lax. &nbsp;&nbsp;

At least 70 people were killed when fire tore through crumbling apartment blocks in a historic part of Dhaka, setting off a chain of explosions and a wall of flames down nearby streets, officials said Thursday.

At least 70 people were killed when fire tore through crumbling apartment blocks in a historic part of Dhaka, setting off a chain of explosions and a wall of flames down nearby streets, officials said Thursday. It started in one building where chemicals for deodorants and other household uses were illegally stored and spread at lightning speed to four nearby buildings, the fire service said. People became trapped by the flames at a nearby bridal party and a restaurant. TV images showed the gates to one building were chained up so residents were unable to escape. Traffic jams in the clogged narrow streets held up the rescue operation. Bangladesh fire chief Ali Ahmed said at least 70 people were killed but that the toll would likely rise. "The number of bodies may increase. The search is still going on," he told AFP. Doctors said at least 10 of the scores of injured were in critical condition. Firefighters who took almost 12 hours to bring the fire under control, went through the blackened floors of the building, littered with spray cans, looking for bodies. The fire started at about 10.40pm (1640 GMT) on Wednesday at Chawkbazar in the old Mughal part of the capital. Ahmed said it may have been started by a gas cylinder and quickly spread through the building where chemicals were stored in rooms alongside the apartments. Chemicals used for household products were also stored in the nearby buildings. They exploded as the fire spread, witnesses said. "There was a traffic jam when the fire broke out. It spread so quickly that people could not escape," the fire chief said. Another fire official told reporters the blaze was under control but was not extinguished despite the efforts of more than 200 firefighters. "It will take time. This is not like any other fire," he said, adding that the inferno had been made more devastating by the "highly combustible" chemicals. Fire trucks had struggled in the narrow streets to reach the scene and there was also a lack of water for the battle, officials said. The main gate of one five storey building was chained up, trapping residents inside, according to images shown on Bangladesh television. 'Flames were everywhere' Members of a bridal party in a nearby community centre were also caught in the fire and many were injured. Others were caught in small restaurants. Dhaka deputy police commissioner Ibrahim Khan said at least two cars and 10 cycle rickshaws were burned in the fire. "The victims included passersby, some people who were eating food at a restaurants and some members of the bridal party," he told AFP. "I saw the charred body of a woman who was holding her daughter in her lap as their rickshaw was caught in the fire," said one witness. Haji Abdul Kader, whose shop was destroyed, said he only survived the blaze as as he had left to go to a pharmacy. "When I was at the pharmacy, I heard a big bang. I turned back and saw the whole street, which was jam packed with cars and rickshaws, in flames. Flames were everywhere," he told AFP. "I got burned and rushed to hospital," he said. Doctors at Dhaka Medical College Hospital said at least 55 people were injured, including 10 in a critical condition. Hundreds of people rushed to the hospital looking for missing relatives. However, most of the bodies of the dead were charred beyond recognition. Sohag Hossain, one of the injured, told the Daily Star that he and two friends were working at a plastic factory in one of the buildings at the time of the fire. They heard an explosion and could not escape the flames. A similar blaze in 2010 in an old Dhaka building, which was also used as a chemical warehouse, killed more than 120 people in one of the worst fire disasters in the city of 20 million people. Dhaka authorities launched a crackdown on chemical warehouses in residential areas following the blaze, but efforts to rein in the practice have waned. Many buildings in Bangladesh lack adequate fire safety measures and the enforcement of fire regulations in factories and apartment buildings is lax.

Dhaka fire: Death toll rises to 70, officials say body count could go up still further

A fire tore through a slum in southern Bangladesh on Sunday killing at least 9 people and destroying hundreds of shanty homes, police said.

The blaze broke out in the port city of Chittagong at about 3.30am and raced through the district of bamboo, tin and tarpaulin homes, said local police chief Pranab Chowdhury.

"At least 470 shanties were destroyed by the fire. So far 9 people have died. They included four members of a family," fire brigade official Hefazatul Islam told AFP. &nbsp;

Fires regularly break out in Bangladesh's slums, where millions live in squalid living conditions.

Rights groups have in the past alleged some shanty town blazes were deliberate acts of sabotage by developers seeking to free up property to construct multi-storey buildings. &nbsp;

"We have seen fires are used as a weapon to evict poor slum dwellers and squatters from a government or private property," rights activist Nur Khan Liton told AFP.&nbsp;

A fire tore through a slum in southern Bangladesh on Sunday killing at least 9 people and destroying hundreds of shanty homes, police said. The blaze broke out in the port city of Chittagong at about 3.

A fire tore through a slum in southern Bangladesh on Sunday killing at least 9 people and destroying hundreds of shanty homes, police said. The blaze broke out in the port city of Chittagong at about 3.30am and raced through the district of bamboo, tin and tarpaulin homes, said local police chief Pranab Chowdhury. "At least 470 shanties were destroyed by the fire. So far 9 people have died. They included four members of a family," fire brigade official Hefazatul Islam told AFP. Fires regularly break out in Bangladesh's slums, where millions live in squalid living conditions. Rights groups have in the past alleged some shanty town blazes were deliberate acts of sabotage by developers seeking to free up property to construct multi-storey buildings. "We have seen fires are used as a weapon to evict poor slum dwellers and squatters from a government or private property," rights activist Nur Khan Liton told AFP.

Fire sweeps through Bangladesh slum, killing nine

Bangladeshi firefighters found four more bodies in the charred rubble of a packaging factory that collapsed due to a major blaze over the weekend, officials said Sunday, raising the death toll to 29. 
 
Around 100 people were working at the factory on Saturday when the fire caused by an explosion in the boiler room tore through the four-storey structure on the outskirts of the capital Dhaka. 
 
Senior firefighting official Anis Mahmud said firefighters found four bodies during a search and rescue operation on Sunday evening. 
 
&quot;We eventually conducted an operation after dousing the fire and recovered four bodies,&quot; he told AFP. 
 
The official added that relatives of 10 people had filed missing persons reports in connection with the blaze. 
 
Some 70 people were also injured, some critically, in the fire at the Tampaco Foils Limited factory, which packages food and cigarette products for local and foreign brands. 
 
Another firefighter said he feared more bodies were still inside the factory in the industrial town of Tongi. 
 
&quot;There might be more bodies underneath the rubble as many people were working inside during the accident,&quot; he told AFP on the condition of anonymity. 
 
The blaze is the latest in a series of deadly accidents to hit impoverished Bangladesh, whose $27-billion garment industry is the world&#39;s second largest behind China&#39;s. 
 
The accident is the worst since the collapse of the Rana Plaza garment complex in 2013 that killed more than 1,100 people in one of the world&#39;s worst industrial disasters. 
 
That tragedy triggered international outrage and successfully put pressure on US and European clothing brands to improve deplorable safety conditions at the factories that supply them. 
 
Bangladesh factory inspector general Syed Ahmed said an investigation into the cause of Saturday&#39;s accident would be opened. 
 
&quot;We will find out the responsible people behind this disaster and will take all necessary and legal actions,&quot; Ahmed told AFP. 
 
According to the company&#39;s website, the packaging factory supplies multinational and domestic brands including British-American Tobacco Bangladesh Limited and Nestle Bangladesh Limited. 
 
Labour rights groups urged the Bangladesh government and Western companies to work harder to protect the safety of workers in their supply chains. 
 
&quot;The boiler explosion and resulting fire... demonstrates the ongoing dangers to industrial workers in that country,&quot; a statement from a consortium of groups, including the International Labor Rights Forum, said.&nbsp; 
 
(AFP)

Firefighters found four more bodies in the charred rubble of the food and cigarette packaging factory

Bangladeshi firefighters found four more bodies in the charred rubble of a packaging factory that collapsed due to a major blaze over the weekend, officials said Sunday, raising the death toll to 29. Around 100 people were working at the factory on Saturday when the fire caused by an explosion in the boiler room tore through the four-storey structure on the outskirts of the capital Dhaka. Senior firefighting official Anis Mahmud said firefighters found four bodies during a search and rescue operation on Sunday evening. "We eventually conducted an operation after dousing the fire and recovered four bodies," he told AFP. The official added that relatives of 10 people had filed missing persons reports in connection with the blaze. Some 70 people were also injured, some critically, in the fire at the Tampaco Foils Limited factory, which packages food and cigarette products for local and foreign brands. Another firefighter said he feared more bodies were still inside the factory in the industrial town of Tongi. "There might be more bodies underneath the rubble as many people were working inside during the accident," he told AFP on the condition of anonymity. The blaze is the latest in a series of deadly accidents to hit impoverished Bangladesh, whose $27-billion garment industry is the world's second largest behind China's. The accident is the worst since the collapse of the Rana Plaza garment complex in 2013 that killed more than 1,100 people in one of the world's worst industrial disasters. That tragedy triggered international outrage and successfully put pressure on US and European clothing brands to improve deplorable safety conditions at the factories that supply them. Bangladesh factory inspector general Syed Ahmed said an investigation into the cause of Saturday's accident would be opened. "We will find out the responsible people behind this disaster and will take all necessary and legal actions," Ahmed told AFP. According to the company's website, the packaging factory supplies multinational and domestic brands including British-American Tobacco Bangladesh Limited and Nestle Bangladesh Limited. Labour rights groups urged the Bangladesh government and Western companies to work harder to protect the safety of workers in their supply chains. "The boiler explosion and resulting fire... demonstrates the ongoing dangers to industrial workers in that country," a statement from a consortium of groups, including the International Labor Rights Forum, said. (AFP)

Bangladesh factory fire death toll jumps to 29

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