At least nine people were burnt to death in a devastating fire that broke out at a multi-storey building at Mirpur-1 in the capital on Saturday evening.

Officials of Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) told the Daily Observer on Saturday night that they had confirmed nine deaths in the fire incident that broke out at a Nasim Plaza near Sony Cinema at about 5:25pm. The building houses a number of ready-made garment factories.

Jasimuddin, additional deputy police commisison of Mirpur Zone, said fire fighters recovered charred bodies from the market, but the death toll may rise, he added.

Identities of the deceased could not be known yet.

On information, 20 fire fighting units rushed to the spot and are doused the flame after two hours of frantic efforts.

Two burn injured security guards of the market were admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. They are Touhidul Islam, 42,  and Kamal Hossain, 35.

They said the fire originated from a boiler blast in a plastic  factory --Atco Bangladesh-- on the ground floor of the market.


LY