Bangabazar blaze: 36 hurt

The massive fire that broke out this morning at the capital's Bangabazar market has left at least 36 people injured.

Between 8:30am to 2pm around 16 people - including five firefighters, one sub-inspector (SI) of police and one RAB SI - took medical treatment at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital.

Of them a Rab-2 Sub-Inspector Mehedi is undergoing treatment in the coronary care unit (CCU) and four others are in the general ward, said Mohammad Russel, member of Rapid Response Team of DMCH.

Two of the firefighters have been identified as Md Atiqur Rahman Rajan, 35, and Morbiul Islam Antar, 38.

He also said the other injured, including businessmen and passersby, have left after receiving primary treatment.

Also, another firefighter named Mehedi has been undergoing treatment at the Sheikh Hasina Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute, said emergency department's Senior Nurse Shampa Baidya.

Other than that, 18 people have received treatment at the Government Employees Hospital.

Firefighters have been struggling to control the fire that started at Bangabazar around 6am. The first firefighting unit arrived on the scene at 6:12am, according to Fire Service and Civil Defense.

Reportedly, the firefighters were working from inside the adjacent Annexco Tower where they got stuck as the fire spread quickly. Later, they were rescued by other units.

The fire has also affected a portion of the Police Headquarters beside Annexco Tower.

Authorities have asked all the fire service units stationed in Dhaka to come to the spot and join the firefighting efforts. Meanwhile, teams of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have joined the operation.

No casualties have been reported so far but smoke has engulfed the area hampering the firefighting efforts.

At least 200 ready-made garment shops have been gutted.