The fire that took place in Dhaka's Bangabazar market early on Tuesday, has not been brought under control even after six hours.
The fire is reportedly increasing due to a water shortage. At present, 48 units of the Fire Service and Civil Defence are working to control the blaze.
The fire reportedly has now spread to the markets -- Islamia Market and Annex Tower -- on the opposite side of the road to Bangabazar market.
A businessman named Alamin said: I can still see everything burning. I couldn't do anything.”
Mujahid, another businessman of Bangabazar market asked if Fire Service and Civil Defence ever control a blaze before it burns everything to ashes.
Police headquarters, Dhaka University, Government Employees Hospital, Animal Hospital, Fire Service and Civil Defence headquarters, Wasa, Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy and Bangladesh Air Force vehicles are providing water.
Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka TribuneAccording to fire service officials, they do not have enough water that is required to control the flames.
At the moment, water from surrounding buildings is needed as an alternative water source, they added.
There are four markets – Bangabazar Market, Mahanagar Market, Adarsha Market, and Gulistan Market, – in the area. General people refer to all of them together as Bangabazar Shopping Complex. Traders said that there are about 3,000 shops in these four markets.
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.
Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka TribuneHe said the cause of the fire and the amount of damage could not be known yet. “Besides, we have not received any news of casualties.”
Witnesses said that owners and employees of shops in the market rushed to the spot after hearing the news of the fire. They were seen removing goods from their stores and moving them to a safe location.
Meanwhile, a crowd has gathered around the area to witness the enormous blaze, while members of the Fire Service and Civil Defence are urging them to vacate the site.