The major fire in a 19-story tower block in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka is reportedly killing at least five people. Three of the victims had died by jumping out of the burning office tower, officials and a hospital spokesman said. Dozens of injured were hospitalized.
It is feared that many more people in the building are trapped by the flames. "Many of my colleagues are still stuck in the office," said Shoikot Rahman, who works in the building. He ran out quickly when he heard about the fire.
The Daily Star reported that at least six people had jumped out of the burning skyscraper. Videos showed people in the building shouting for help from the windows.
Deletion attempts by helicopter
About 20 fire brigade units took part in fighting the fire, a representative of the control center said. The army also supported the large-scale operation. Helicopters dropped water over the burning building.
The images showed flames and thick black smoke leaking out of the skyscraper. Meanwhile, the fire is almost under control, said a fire department spokesman. The cause of the fire is still unclear.
Last month, around 70 people were killed and 50 others injured in a violent fire in Dhaka's old town. The fire department took twelve hours to bring the fire under control. In 2010, there were 123 deaths during a fire in the Nimtoli district.