The death toll from a fire at a seven-storey building in Uttara, has risen to six. Police suspect the blaze may have originated in the kitchen.
The blaze, which broke out on the second floor early Friday morning, claimed the lives of six people, three members of a single family, including a toddler, confirmed Uttara West police Officer-in-Charge Rofiq Ahame.
Sub-Inspector Abu Sayeed said the latest victims are – Md Harish Uddin, 52, his son Md Rahab, 17 and and Rodela Akter, 14. They are in addition to the previously reported fatalities, Fazle Rabbi Rizvi, 38, his wife Afroza Akter Subarna, 37, and their younger son, Kazi Fiyaz Rishan, 2.
The blaze broke out at 7:50am on second floor of a seven-storey residential building on Road 18, Sector 11, Uttara, Fire Service officials confirmed.
Two units from the Uttara Fire Station were deployed in the operation.
Talha Bin Zasim, station officer of the Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) headquarters’ media cell said, the blaze was brought under control by 8:25am and fully extinguished by 10am.
Following the incident, teams from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), crime unit, and other law enforcement agencies entered the building for inspection.
“We primarily suspect the fire originated from the kitchen. It may have started due to a gas leakage or an electrical short circuit,” said OC Rofiq Ahame.
Thirteen residents were rescued and taken to different hospitals in the city for treatment.
Three of the victims died at Kuwait Maitree Hospital, while others were declared dead at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka Specialized Hospital, and Lubana Hospital.
Police said all bodies were handed over to families without post-mortem examinations after identification.
Fire Service officials confirmed, flames did not spread directly to the upper floors, thick smoke trapped residents on the fifth and sixth floors, leading to fatalities.
Eyewitnesses said the dense smoke prevented residents from moving either downstairs or upwards to escape. “The smoke spread very fast and people became trapped,” said one resident.
Another eyewitness, Sumi Alam, said the building’s interior remained unsafe. “There are black burn marks from the second floor upwards and the inside is still risky to enter,” she said.
Fazle Rabbi’s family member, Md Abu Saeed, said the family hailed from Nanua Dighir Par, Cumilla Sadar.
“Fazle Rabbi worked at SKF Pharmaceuticals Limited, while Afroza was a senior executive at Square Pharmaceuticals. Their two sons, Fiyaz and Rafsan, usually stayed with their maternal grandmother, but the younger son was staying with the parents as it was Friday” Saeed added.
The building is located in a narrow lane adjacent to Uttara West Police Station.
Police said funeral prayers for several of the victims were scheduled to be held at Uttara Boro Mosque later in the afternoon.
