DHAKA: The death toll from the fire at a chemical warehouse in Chawkbazar area of Old Dhaka rose to 70 on Thursday morning, said Fire Service and Civil Defence.

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

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

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.

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: 0946 HRS, FEB 21, 2019
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