6 dead in Uttara Sector-11 house fire

A fire broke out on the second floor of a seven-story residential building in Dhaka's Uttara Sector-11 early this morning (16 January), leaving six people dead and several others injured.

The fire was completely doused by 10am after a two-hour effort.

Police, firefighters secure the damaged building as local residents and media personnel arrive at the scene of the fire in Sector 11, Uttara on 16 January 2026. Photo: TBS

At the time of filing this report, the death toll had risen to six, according to Ahmed Ali, additional deputy commissioner (ADC) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Uttara Zone. 

The deceased were identified as Kazi Fazle Rabbi, 38, his wife Afroza Akhter Suborna, 37, and their younger son two-year-old Rishan.

The other three deceased were Harish Uddin, 52, his son Rahab, 17 and Harish's niece Rodela Akhter, 14. 

Uttara West Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Kazi Mohammad Rafiq Ahmed confirmed the death toll at 1pm.

A 'CID CRIME SCENE' tape can be seen as police and other individuals try to seal off the burnt building's gate as locals try to see inside. Photo: Rajib Dhar/TBS

Rabbi, Haris and Rahab passed away at the Kuwait-Bangladesh Friendship Government Hospital, and Afroza died while undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Rodela Akter breathed her last at Lubana General Hospital and the two-year-old Rishan died at Uttara Specialized Hospital.

According to the Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) control room, the fire started at approximately 7:50am at road no 18 in Uttara Sector-11. Upon receiving the news at 7:54am, two units from the Uttara fire station were immediately dispatched, arriving at the scene within four minutes.

A 'CID CRIME SCENE' tape can be seen as police and other individuals try to seal off the burnt building's gate as locals try to see inside. Photo: Rajib Dhar/TBS

The firefighters managed to bring the fire under control by 8:25am, preventing it from engulfing the upper floors of the seven-story structure.

During the operation, fire service personnel successfully rescued 13 individuals who were trapped inside the building. The rescued persons were promptly evacuated and sent to Kuwait-Bangladesh Friendship Government Hospital for medical treatment.

While the fire service initially recovered three bodies from the scene, three more succumbed to their injuries at various hospitals across the capital.

Firefighters on scene at the building in Uttara Sector 11. Photo: Collected

The extent of the financial damage and the exact cause of the fire are yet to be assessed.