DHAKA: At least 55 people were killed and scores injured in a massive fire that engulfed five multi-storey buildings at Chawkbazar area of Old Dhaka.

The death toll is feared to rise, the fire service official said.

The fire broke out around 10:38pm on Wednesday (Feb 20) at a chemical warehouse on the ground floor of Wahed Mansion, a five-storey building. The fire then quickly engulfed four other buildings nearby, said Ali Ahmed Khan, director general of Fire Service and Civil Defence.

Of injured, 41 were taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, while a number of people were reported missing.

The origin of the fire could not be known.

Firefighters from 37 units of 13 stations rushed to the scene and doused the fire around 3 am with the help of locals, he added.

Dhaka South Mayor Mohammad Sayeed Khokon visited the site around 1am. Later, he told the journalists that all information will be given when the fired is doused. 

A probe body is being formed immediately in this regard, Ali Ahmed Khan, DG of Fire Service and Civil Defence said.

BDST: 0805 HRS, FEB 21, 2019
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