A fire that killed six people at a residential building in Uttara was caused by an electrical fault, the Fire Service and Civil Defence Directorate said on Friday, based on preliminary findings.
The blaze originated from an electrical fault in a section of the second floor of the seven-story building, Fire Service media cell official Talha bin Jasim told Dhaka Tribune. He said the exact cause would be confirmed after a detailed investigation.
According to the Fire Service, property worth Tk45,00,000 was damaged in the fire, while assets worth Tk2,00,00,000 were rescued.
The incident occurred Friday morning at House-38 on Road-18 in Sector-11 of Uttara.
Two units from the Uttara Fire Station rushed to the scene and brought the fire under control after about 30 minutes.
Six members of two families living in the building died in the incident. The deceased were identified as Fazle Rabbi, Haris, Rahab, Afroza; Rodela Akhtar, and Risan, aged two and a half.
At least 13 others were rescued and taken to Kuwait Maitree Hospital and the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery.
Doctors said the victims did not suffer burn injuries but died from suffocation caused by heavy smoke. Confirming the cause of death, Dr Shawon bin Rahman, a residential surgeon at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, said there were no significant burn marks on the bodies and that death occurred due to smoke inhalation.
Residents of the seven-story building panicked as dense smoke spread throughout the structure, trapping several people. Firefighters later rescued the occupants, who took shelter safely. After the fire was extinguished, residents began returning to their flats in the afternoon.
Eyewitnesses said flames were first noticed on the second floor in the morning and spread rapidly, filling the entire building with smoke. The Fire Service was informed shortly afterward.
Shiblu, a resident of the fourth floor who lives with his wife and two children, said they were asleep when the fire broke out and woke up to the sound of glass breaking from above. He said they initially failed to realize a fire had started and attempted to flee but were forced to remain inside due to thick smoke. They were later rescued with the help of firefighters.
Uttara West Police Station Officer-in-Charge Rafiq Ahmed said affected families could file cases if they wished, adding that police had recorded a general diary (GD). The Crime Scene Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) collected evidence from the site.
He said the bodies were handed over to relatives following legal procedures and that residents returned to their homes after the situation normalized.
