DHAKA:  Authorities called off rescue operation 14 hours after the ghastly fire broke out at a chemical warehouse in Chawkbazar that claimed lives of about 70 people so far.

Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Sayeed Khokon called off rescue operation officially around 12:15pm.

The death toll from the fire in Old Dhaka rose to 70, said earlier the Fire Service and Civil Defence.

Scores were injured in the massive fire that engulfed five multi-storey buildings in the area.

Of 41 injured, 32 left Dhaka Medical College Hospital after taking primary treatment.

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.

According to eyewitnesses, the fire began after a big blast in Chawkbazar.

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

Two probe bodies were formed by fire service and the industry ministry in this regard.

BDST: 1518 HRS, FEB 21, 2019

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