2 killed in chemical warehouse fire in Old Dhaka

At least two persons, including a woman, were killed and 20 others injured after a deadly fire broke out at a chemical warehouse in Armanitola of Old Dhaka early Friday.

The deceased were identified as Sumaiya, 22, a second-year student of English Department at Eden Mohila College, and Russell, security guard of the building.

Those injured include three fire service officials, who have been admitted to Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, said Rasel Sikdar, duty officer of Fire Service and Civil Defence control room.

Mahfuz Rivel, duty officer at the control room of Fire Service and Civil Defence, said the fire broke out at the ground floor of a six-storey building named Haji Musa Mansion in Armanitola near Babu Bazar Bridge at around 3:18am.

The fire was brought under control at around 6 am after a three-hour frantic effort of 19 fire fighting units, said Brig Gen Md Sazzad Hossain, director general of the fire service and civil defence directorate.

Witnesses said the fire might have started from electrical short circuit shortly before Sehri.

Residents were also trapped inside flats and roofs of the building during the fire. Firefighters rescued them from the roof of the building and by cutting grills of balcony and window.

The power supply in the area has been cut off.

Earlier on June 3, 2010, as many as 124 people were killed in a fire at an illegally operated chemical warehouse at Nimtali in Old Dhaka.

Besides, on the night of February 20, 2019, at least 67 died in a deadly fire at Churihatta area of Chakbazar.