A fire that broke out at Bashundhara City shopping mall in the city’s Panthapath area on Sunday morning was brought under control partially, nearly six hours after the incident.
The fire broke out on level six of the market around 11:30am, said fire service control room sources, reports United News of Bangladesh.
Director general of fire service Ali Ahmed Khan said 29 firefighting units were trying to bring the blaze under control. They were facing problems as there was scarcity of water at the backside of the shopping mall, he said.
‘We’ve already sought assistance from the city corporation and water supply and sewerage authority for water,’ said the DG.
No one was injured in the market as all got out of the complex soon after the fire alarm, he added.
Masud Ranaa, a shop owner of the shopping mall, said the fire originated from a footwear shop.
Talking to reporters, director (operation) of fire service and civil defence headquarter major Shakil said the fire could not spread from level-six to other floors but it engulfed seven-eight showrooms of the floor.
He said they have been able to bring the fire under control partially but not fully yet. Smoke was seen billowing out of the building but there is no casualty, he said.
General manager (admin) of Bashundhara City development limited Mostafa Rahel Imam said, ‘The fire broke out from a footwear showroom. It’s just an accident. The fire couldn’t spread to other floors as our employees took prompt primary steps to douse the blaze.’
Deputy director of fire service and civil defence headquarter Mizanur Rahman said they rescued 11 security guards from level-8 around 4:20pm while more eight people rescued from level-6 earlier around 1:00pm.
However, 8-10 people, including a woman, got trapped on the rooftop of the shopping complex, he said.
Head of marketing of Bashundhara City development limited Jasim Uddin said 7-8 shops were gutted in the fire by the time.
Sohel Rana, a security guard of the complex, said over 10,000 people, including owners and employees, work at 2,600 shops in the shopping mall.
Dhaka north city corporation mayor Annisul Huq visited the spot.
‘We’re trying to ensure water supply for extinguishing the blaze and we’ve already contacted WASA for water supply,’ said the mayor.
Responding to a question from reporters about recurrence of fire incident in the shopping mall, the mayor said they will carry out investigation into the incident.
Deputy commissioner of Tejgaon Biplob Kumar Sarker also visited the spot.
Earlier on March 13, 2009, seven employees of the shopping complex, including its own firefighters, died in a fire incident.
Besides, another fire broke out at the shopping mall on August 24, 2009.
Source: New Age
