46 Die in Dhaka Fire as Locked Gates Trap Restaurant Patrons

A deadly fire at Green Cozy Cottage on Dhaka’s Bailey Road claimed 46 lives, with investigators saying locked gates at one restaurant worsened the disaster.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) submitted a chargesheet two years after the February 29, 2024 incident, accusing 22 people—including restaurant owners and managers—of negligence and criminal misconduct.

The fire reportedly started around 9:45 pm in a ground-floor coffee shop, Chayer Chumuk, from an electric kettle. Flames and thick smoke quickly engulfed the eight-storey building, which housed at least 10 unlicensed restaurants.

One of the worst-hit spots was Kacchi Bhai on the second floor, which had drawn large crowds for a Leap Year promotion. Investigators allege the restaurant’s staff locked the main and rooftop gates to prevent customers from leaving without paying bills, trapping dozens inside. Most victims died from smoke inhalation; only three were burned.

The CID chargesheet details multiple violations: operating without licences, ignoring safety regulations, and using gas cylinders and electric ovens in hazardous conditions. The building exceeded its approved commercial floors, and the rooftop housed an illegal duplex restaurant.

Safety measures were largely absent: blocked stairways, no ventilation, and flammable interior décor allowed the fire to spread rapidly.

Supreme Court lawyer and Additional Public Prosecutor Muhammad Shamsuddoha Sumon said the accused are charged due to systemic negligence that created a “death trap” for diners.

The next hearing for charge framing is set for April 19. Prosecutors aim for strict punishment, while the accused deny allegations. Sohel Siraj, owner of Kacchi Bhai, said the gates were not locked and staff had tried to help patrons escape, citing videos showing rescue efforts.

The chargesheet underscores a wider problem: many Dhaka restaurants operate without oversight, ignoring fire safety norms, which can turn ordinary buildings into fatal hazards.