DHAKA: The death toll from a fire in Chawkbazar, a centuries-old area in the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, reached to 70, officials said.
The toll could even increase, they said. So far, 70 bodies have been recovered for the wreckage of the building, officials informed. They said the number could rise further as the search is continuing, agencies said.
The fire that began a four-story building last night spread to nearby buildings in the area of Old Dhaka that which dates back to the Mughal period more than 300 years ago, reports said.
Officials have said that more than 50 people had been taken to hospital, some in critical condition.
Reports said about 200 firefighters fought for more than five hours to bring the blaze under control. According to reports, the building where the fire began had housed a plastics warehouse and contained flammable material. (Agencies)
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