The death toll from the devastating fire that ravaged a commercial buling in Bailey Road has risen to 46. Several others who were burnt are undergoing treatment at the Sheikh Hasina National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute, 12 of them are in critical condiiton.
"At least 46 people have perished in the fire at Bailey Road so far," Health Minister Dr Samanta Lal Sen said while visiting the burn victims at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) on Friday (1 March).
"We will sit down with the doctors and plan how to provide the best treatment. But everyone is requested not to rush to the hospital. The prime minister has taken charge of all the patients. All measures will be taken by the government to treat the injured," he added.
"Most of the rescused people had their respiratory organs damaged. Efforts are underway to save them. The injured are admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and the burn institute. There is no information yet whether there is anyone who has been admiited somewhere else," the minister further said.
So far 30 dead bodies have been identified and handed over to their families, Dhaka District Nezarat Deputy Collector (NDC) Mostafa Abdullah Al Noor said.
The fire service's media cell said they received information about the fire at 9:50pm.
The first unit arrived at the scene at 9:56pm.
Later, 12 more units rushed to the spot as the fire spread. Police, Ansar, RAB and NSI worked to control the fire.
Vsiting the spot, Police Criminal Investigation Department (CID) chief Mohammad Ali Mia said that the fire started from the ground floor of the Kacchi Bhai restaurant in the building.
"We have learned that the fire started from the ground floor of the building. However, it could not be confirmed whether it was due to short circuit or gas leackage. The evidence will be collected and chemical tests will be done in the lab. Then the real cause of the fire will be known," he told reporters after visiting the scene at 3:30am on Friday (1 March).
DNA test will be done to identify the identity of the bodies, he added.
A massive fire broke out in the commercial building in the capital's Bailey Road that mostly housed restaurents at around 10:30pm on Thursday (29 February).
Fire fighters brought the flames under control at around 12am.
The fire service has formed a five-member investigation committee into the fire incident, Fire Service Media Officer Anwar Islam Dolan said.
President Mohammed Sahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have expressed their grief and shock over the fire incident.
