Bangabazar fire under control after over 6 hours

The fire that took place in Dhaka's Bangabazar Market early on Tuesday, has been brought under control after over six hours of frantic efforts.

Shahjahan Shikder, officer-in-charge of the media wing of Fire Service and Civil Defence said the fire was brought under control at 12:36pm.

However, the fire was seen spreading to neighboring buildings as a result of strong winds. Flames could still be observed in various locations, but it is not anything grave. 

Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka Tribune

Businessmen at the site that at least six markets in Bangabazar caught fire. Out of this, only Bangabazar Market has some 2,900 shops and about 150,000 people work there.

At least 48 units of the Fire Service and Civil Defence were working to douse the blaze.

At least eight people, including two members of the Fire Service and Civil Defence, were injured while working to control the massive fire.

The injured are Rabiul Islam Antor, 30, Atiqul Rahman Rajon, 35, Niloy, 35, Shahin, 40, Ripon, 40, Rubel, 32, Dulal Mia, 60, Mehedi Hasan, 28. 

Among them, Antor and Rajon are members of the Fire Service and Civil Defence.

The fire service received information about the fire at 6:10am on Tuesday and reached the spot at 6:12am, according to Rafi Al Faruk, duty officer of the Fire Service and Civil Defence control room.