Bangladesh: 70 dead in Old Dhaka market fire

Atleast 70 people were killed after a massive fire broke out in Chawkbazar's Churihatta area of Old Dhaka early on Thursday morning, Dhaka Metropolitan Police confirmed.

The Dhaka Tribune reported that the fire broke out around 9:30 am after a gas cylinder kept in the warehouse storing highly flammable chemical and plastic products exploded and engulfed several multi-storey buildings at Nanda Kumar Lane in the Lalbagh market place.

The death toll in the devastating fire is suspected to rise, said officials.

Meanwhile, the people who were injured in the fire, were admitted in the nearby hospitals.

Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Sayeed Khokon and local MP Haji Md Salim paid a visit to the market place and monitored the situation after receiving information from the fire officials.

"Our priority right now is to douse the fire completely and attend to the wounded," Khokon was quoted as saying.

-ANI