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Firefighters have contained the blaze in a multi-storey building in Keraniganj after more than 11 and a half hours, though full extinguishment is expected to take at least another day.
Fire Service teams succeeded in taming the blaze at 5:03pm on Saturday following efforts by 20 units, but removing remaining hotspots and smouldering materials will require more time, bdnews24.com reports.
Lt Col Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury, director of operations and maintenance at the Fire Service, briefed reporters at the site shortly thereafter.
He said the building, a mixed-use commercial and residential structure, was first reported ablaze at 5:37am, and fire teams arrived at 5:45am.
“From then on, around 20 units have been operating on the scene. We brought the fire under control by 5:03pm,” he said.
Lt Col Tajul described the complex structure: seven interconnected U-shaped buildings, heavily filled with garments and other stock across all floors, including the basement.
“Every shutter, large or small, was closed. Collapsible gates blocked access, slowing our work. Ventilation is almost non-existent, putting firefighters at significant risk. Sudden flare-ups, often mistaken for cylinder explosions, were actually backdrafts due to poor airflow,” he said.
Black smoke from burning garments and flammable materials, combined with piles of stock reigniting, contributed to the fire taking over 11 hours to control.
Tajul added that full extinguishment may take until Sunday as materials are removed step by step.
“With hundreds of individual shutters, each must be cut open carefully, releasing smoke as we work,” he said, noting that the basement, first and second floors, and occasional third floors remain engulfed in smoke.
No casualties have been reported yet. Earlier, Fire Service officials rescued 42 people by 9am, with three more evacuated safely later.
“The building houses shops, small stock warehouses, and residential quarters above. Basement access is limited to one main point, making firefighting operations complicated,” Tajul said.
On the fire’s cause and building safety, he stressed that an investigation would follow once the fire is fully extinguished.
“Given the prolonged burning and high temperatures, a structural audit is essential to assess whether the building is safe for habitation,” he added. Fire inspectors had repeatedly warned the owners about risks, issuing notices and visits at least five times.
The building’s owner could not be contacted, though inspectors spoke to the manager by phone. Fire Service teams, including hazmat units, continue to monitor and remove materials to reduce remaining hotspots.