DHAKA: The inferno ripped through the four-storied building -Wahed Mansion-but couldn’t reach the basement thanks to firefighters. Otherwise, tragedy could have been much worse.

The basement of Wahid Mansion, the severely ravaged building among the five of Chawkbazar fire, was full of drums and sacks packed with chemical. The entire parking space was occupied with chemicals.

Fire issued from the 2nd floor of the building, which was a chemical warehouse, raced through its surrounding areas and upwards.

The fourth floor was burnt to ashes completely.

Prior to 2 days of the tragedy, the owner of the warehouse put 7 trucks of chemicals into the warehouse. He is a big chemical businessman, according to locals.

Thanks to efforts of firefighters, fire couldn’t come down to the basement floor. If fire touched the floor, explosion could have gone beyond control, a fire service official told Banglanews.

BDST: 1758 HRS, FEB 22, 2019

AH