Panic has been the main cause of death in Sunday's fire in Gulshan, with both deceased in the incident having jumped from the building in an attempt to escape the flames.
The deceased were identified as Anwar Hossain and Md Raju. Both of them worked as chefs in the building, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Gulshan Zone Additional Commissioner Abdul Ahad told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.
One of the victims died on the spot, while the other succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment at Sikder Medical College Hospital. Firefighters rescued 21 people, including 10 men and 11 women.
Fire Service Director (Operation and Maintenance) Lt Col Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury said: “Those who died jumped to save themselves. We repeatedly urged them not to jump, but the fear of the flames overcame them.
"If they had not jumped, they might have been saved. We managed to rescue and secure all of the other people who were stuck inside the building."
The official also said there was no negligence in rescue operations, as the army, navy, and air force joined the efforts.
“All kinds of safety equipment was also ready,” he said.
Did Fire Service take too long to arrive?
Eyewitnesses said the people stranded in the building grew more impatient the longer it took for firefighters to arrive and begin rescue operations. No one had been safely extracted even half an hour after the blaze began.
Around 9:30pm, three people jumped from the building to escape the fire. One of them died on the spot.
Anwar Hossain, eyewitness, and brother-in-law of the injured Musa Sikder, said the smoke started from 6:30pm, but the fire service arrived at 8:30pm. Rescue efforts were initially hampered as the main gate of the building was locked.
After half an hour, some locals opened the gate of the neighbouring house and the Fire Service began working in earnest. The firefighters needed to take water from the neighbouring building as there was no fire hydrant.
It reportedly very long to open the gate as they needed permission from the owner of the neighbouring building.
The Fire Service also struggled to reach the fire location as crowds had gathered on the road.
No fire station in Gulshan area
Gulshan and Banani do not have any fire stations despite being two of the major hubs of the capital.
Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Md Atiqul Islam blamed Rajdhani Unnayan Kartipakkha (Rajuk) for the shortcoming in such crucial service.
According to the Fire Service, several letters have been sent to the DNCC for setting up a fire station, but there has been no progress in finding a location.
When asked about this, DNCC Chief Executive Officer Salim Reza told the Dhaka Tribune: “There was no plan for a fire station in the design of Gulshan area before. After this incident, the mayor has taken initiative for the arrangement of the fire station. Hopefully, this problem will be solved soon.”
Police said the fire likely started from an electrical short circuit, and it spread quickly due to the central air-conditioning system.
Director (Operation and Maintenance) Lt Col Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury said the exact cause of the fire will be found after the investigation.
According to the Fire Service unit, three units initially went to the spot to control the fire, and a total of 19 units were deployed to the spot as the blaze spread.
The fire broke out in a 12-storey building on Road 104 of Gulshan 2. It was brought under control after about three hours.
The Fire Service has formed a five-member investigation committee, and the building has been sealed.