Published :
Updated :
For all latest news, follow The Financial Express Google News channel.
Police have resumed the 999 emergency helpline service after an around nine-hour suspension as a devastating fire at the Bangabazar clothing market spread close to their adjacent headquarters.
The services were back on at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, the Police Headquarters said in a notice.
Inspector Anwar Sattar, who works at the 999 service, said they continued the services until 10:30 am, but some lines to their server and power connections were cut off due to the fire, reports bdnews24.com.
Police earlier advised people to contact their local police stations or the fire service stations in case of emergency during the suspension of the 999 services.
The fire broke out around 6:10 am on Tuesday, engulfing one of the biggest markets for cheaper clothes. As many as 50 units of firefighters worked for more than six hours to control the blaze.
The flames spread beyond the four units of the Bangabazar market to adjacent shopping places and other structures.
The Police Headquarters' boundaries are just behind the charred market. Smoke billowed out of the market, enveloping the entire area.
Two fire service vehicles waited at the police headquarters to tackle any emergency inside the premises.
“Only one building [at the police headquarters] was slightly damaged, but nothing serious,” said Rezaul Karim, director (training) of the Fire Service and Civil Defence.