Chawakbazar fire virtually repeats 2010 Nimtali tragedy

In June 2010, more than 120 people were burnt to death and 50 others injured in an identical manner at Nimtoli of the crowded Old Dhaka and it was a plastic factory responsible for quick spread of fire.

The incident at that time sparked a public outcry, demanding the relocation of chemical warehouses and stores packed with combustible materials from the area and steps too were ordered towards that end.

But the last night’s incident clearly suggests that the measure were not enough to clean a area where people use their houses for business purposes of such ignitable items for years.

According to the fire service, the fire started around 10.45pm at a four-storey building owned by Wahid Chairman and it spread to four nearby buildings quickly.

The ground floor of the building is rented out to shops and second floor is used as a warehouse for toiletries and various plastic products. The top two floors are residential units.