February 2019 Dhaka fire explained

February 2019 Dhaka fire
Date:20 February 2019
Time:22:38 BST
Place:Chowk Bazaar, Dhaka Old City, Bangladesh
Coordinates:23.7165°N 90.3941°W
Cause:Gas cylinder explosion
Reported Injuries:50+
Reported Death(S):80

On 20 February 2019, a fire broke out in Dhaka, Bangladesh following a road accident between a pickup van and a private car. After the collision, the car's gas cylinder exploded. The fire then spread to a group of nearby buildings being used to store chemicals, and quickly spread in the densely packed historic district of Chowk Bazaar in Old Dhaka.[1] The fire left at least 80 people dead and 50 others injured.[2]

Cause

The fire was reported to have originated in the explosion of a cylinder of compressed natural gas in a vehicle, which quickly triggered further fires in buildings and nearby gas cylinders.[3] The blaze was first reported at 22:38,[4] and was reported to be under control by about 03:00.[5]

The first building to burn housed shops and a warehouse storing plastic goods, cosmetics and perfume on the first floor, with residential housing on upper stories.[6] It spread to the four-storey building behind the Shahi Mosque. From that building, the fire spread to Rajmoni Restaurant and three other buildings in the narrow alley.[7]

An electric transformer exploded just after the fire broke out, which demolished several cars parked on the alley. The alley was full of people because of a wedding ceremony in a nearby community centre.[8]

Casualties

As of 21 February 2019, the death toll was estimated to be at least 80.[2] In addition to those killed, at least 50 people were injured and transported to hospitals with severe burns and lung damage.[9]

Reactions

Mohammad Abdul Hamid, the President of Bangladesh, and Sheikh Hasina, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, offered their condolences to the victims of the fire, as did Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad and many others.[10]

In the aftermath of the fire, Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Sayeed Khokon said chemical warehouses would no longer be permitted in the city.[11]

Pakistan's Foreign Office Spokesperson expressed deep regret.[12] [13]

The United States embassy in Dhaka offered its condolences to the victims of the fire via Twitter.[14]

Financial assistance

The Ministry of Labour and Employment of Bangladesh offered to the family of each deceased victim, and to each of the injured.[15]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Deadly fire sweeps Dhaka historic district. 2019-02-21. 2019-02-21. en-GB.
  2. News: Safi . Michael . Dhaka fire that killed 80 raises questions over chemical stores . 24 February 2019 . The Guardian . 21 February 2019.
  3. News: Scores Dead in Bangladesh Fire: 'This Isn't About Poverty, It's About Greed' . The New York Times . 21 February 2019 . 23 February 2019.
  4. News: Massive fire at Old Dhaka building . Bangla Tribune . 21 February 2019 . 23 February 2019.
  5. News: At least 81 dead as blaze rips through buildings in Bangladeshi capital . China Daily . 21 February 2019 . 23 February 2019.
  6. News: http://www.banglatribune.com/national/news/421663. bn:পুরান ঢাকার আগুন নিয়ন্ত্রণে, ৭০ লাশ উদ্ধার . Bangla Tribune. bn. 2019-02-21.
  7. News: Chawakbazar fire evokes wounds of 2010 Nimtali tragedy . 21 February 2019 . 21 February 2019 . Prothom Alo.
  8. News: Old Dhaka fire death toll jumps to 70 . 21 February 2019 . 21 February 2019 . bdnews24.com.
  9. News: 67 dead in Dhaka fire that ripped through apartment blocks. CNN. 22 February 2019.
  10. News: https://www.jugantor.com/national/147111/%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%85%E0%A6%97%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A3%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A1-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%98%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%AE-%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4-%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%A7%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%80. bn:চকবাজার অগ্নিকাণ্ড: নির্ঘুম রাত কাটালেন প্রধানমন্ত্রী. Jugantor . bn . 2019-02-22.
  11. News: There will be no chemical warehouse in Dhaka: DSCC mayor. 2019-02-21. The Daily Star. en. 2019-02-22.
  12. News: Pakistan condoles loss of lives in Dhaka fire incident . ARYNEWS . 22 February 2019.
  13. Web site: Mati . Pakistan grieves over loss of lives in Dhaka fire . Dispatch News Desk . 22 February 2019.
  14. Web site: The United States Embassy Dhaka community offers our heartfelt condolences to all those affected by the fire in Chawkbazar in Dhaka last night. Our prayers are with the families of those injured and lost and to all who mourn across the great nation of Bangladesh.. Dhaka. U. S. Embassy. 2019-02-21. @usembassydhaka. en. 2019-02-21.
  15. News: https://www.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/article/1580037/%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%97%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%83%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B7-%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A8. bn:চকবাজারে আগুনের পর কর্তৃপক্ষ যা বললেন.... Prothom Alo. bn. 2019-02-22.

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