
The fire started around 5:37 am on the ground floor of the building known as “Jabel-e-Noor,” which houses a jhut(garment scrap) and a readymade garment warehouse, said Anwarul Islam, Warehouse Inspector of the Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD).
Firefighters rescued at least 42 people from the building and brought them to safety using various stairways.
Fifteen firefighting units are working to bring the blaze under control.
Bangladesh Army and BGB members have joined the efforts to extinguish the blaze and rescue people.
Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury, director FSCD(Operation and Maintenance), said the fire originated in the warehouse located on the ground floor, reports UNB.
“We are facing difficulties in extinguishing the fire due to heavy smoke. There is a basement on one side of the building and several jhut godowns and other goods stored inside which is slowing down the operation. Firefighters are breaking collapsible gates and shutters to reach the source of the fire,” Tajul Islam told reporters.
“The fire has been confined but it is not yet under control. We are working to ensure it does not spread to nearby buildings,” he added.