Fire in commercial building in Mirpur, two dead in hospital, 24 rescued alive

Two people, including a woman, died after falling ill from smoke inhalation in a fire at a multi-storey commercial building in the capital's Mirpur-2 area. Panic spread throughout the area after a fire broke out in the 11-storey building named 'LA Plaza' on Monday (March 9) afternoon. After the fire broke out, many people inside the building took shelter on the roof, while others were trapped on different floors. Upon receiving the information, the fire service quickly reached the spot and started a rescue operation and brought the fire under control after a long effort.

According to fire service sources, six units reached the spot one by one after receiving the information about the fire at around 1:52 pm. People trapped on the roof and different floors of the building were brought down using turntable ladders (TTL) in the rescue operation. A total of 24 people, including 14 men and 10 women, were rescued alive at that time. The fire was brought under control at 3:22 pm after about an hour and a half of effort and later the fire was completely extinguished at 4:35 pm.

During the rescue operation, a woman and a man were rescued unconscious from the stairs between the fourth and fifth floors. They were rushed to Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, where they died during the night. Mirpur Police Station Sub-Inspector (SI) Ahsan Sohel confirmed the matter and said that the deceased man's name is Rakib Hasan. However, the identity of the deceased woman has not been confirmed yet and the police are investigating the matter.

Mirpur Model Police Station Inspector (Investigation) Rajib Hossain said that it is initially believed that the deceased had come to the building to shop. Local sources also said that it is believed that both the deceased were members of the Bangladesh Air Force.

Talha Bin Jasim, Officer-in-Charge of the Fire Service's Media Cell, said that the initial investigation suggests that the fire may have started due to an electrical fault. According to the control room, the fire is believed to have started from a spa center located on the third floor of the building. A detailed investigation is underway to find out the exact cause of the incident.