Authorities have managed to contain a fire that broke out late Thursday night in a warehouse situated on the second floor of a three-storey building in Dhaka's Demra area. However, concerns persist regarding the structural stability of the building, hinting at a potential risk of collapse.
According to Fire Service Incident Commander Lt Col. Md Rezaul Karim, speaking to the media on Friday morning, the building in the Bhanga Press area has shown signs of fragility, with a noticeable decline in its structural integrity.
Rezaul highlighted that a section of the roof has already collapsed, raising fears of further structural deterioration. He pointed out that the building's construction lacked adherence to safety regulations, with no designated fire exits and excessively narrow entry stairs. Additionally, the absence of water reserves within the building compounded the firefighting challenges.
The tightly packed nature of surrounding buildings exacerbated the situation, with neighboring structures situated very close to the affected building. This proximity hindered firefighting efforts, making it difficult for firefighters to access certain areas.
Regarding investigations into the incident, Rezaul mentioned that once the fire is completely extinguished, authorities will conduct an inquiry to determine if the building possessed the necessary documents and approvals.
The fire, which ignited around 11:30 pm on Thursday, required the deployment of 10 firefighting units, later joined by navy personnel, who worked tirelessly until 8 am the following day to bring the situation under control.
As of now, the cause of the fire remains unconfirmed, pending further investigation by the authorities.
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