House fire in Dhaka’s Uttara: Death toll rises to 6

The death toll from a fire at a six-storey building in Uttara of the capital, has risen to six. According to the Fire Service and Civil Defence, the fire broke out around 7:50 am today, Friday.

The fire service reported three deaths in the morning. Later, Shahriar Ali, deputy commissioner of police in Uttara division, confirmed that three more people had died while receiving treatment at the hospital.

Among the six deceased are two women, one man, and a child. The identities of the remaining victims have not been confirmed yet.

Talha Bin Jasim, an official from the public relations wing of the fire service, told Prothom Alo this morning that the fire broke out at a building on Road 18 in Sector 11 of Uttara.

Talha Bin Jasim, officer of the Fire Service’s Public Relations Division, told Prothom Alo this morning that the fire occurred at a house on Road No. 18 in Sector 11 of Uttara.

Three people were killed in the fire, while 13 others suffering from smoke inhalation were taken to Kuwait Bangladesh Friendship Government Hospital, added the official.

Three more people died while undergoing treatment at Kuwait Bangladesh Friendship Government Hospital, deputy commissioner of Police in Uttara Shahriar Ali said later.

When asked why the casualties were so high, Talha Bin Jasim explained that the rooms contained a large amount of furniture, which caught fire and caused the flames to spread rapidly.

Md Abdul Mannan, deputy assistant director of fire service’s Dhaka zone-3, said the fire may have been caused by an electrical short circuit. The blaze started on the first floor and spread up to the second floor.

The fire was brought under control by 8:25 am and was fully extinguished by 10:00 am, said sources from the Fire Service.