72 killed in Dhaka fire

At least 72 people were killed in a devastating fire here in the Bangladesh capital on Thursday night, officials said.

At least 72 people were killed in a devastating fire here in the Bangladesh capital on Thursday night, officials said.

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The fire broke out in a chemical factory in the old Dhaka city at about 9.20 pm local time. It spread to four or five houses in the congested residential area, trapping hundreds of residents, Xinhua reported.

Fire-fighters rushed to the spot and after frantic efforts managed to bring the fire under control.

The injured have been admitted at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

According to witnesses, there was an explosion in an electrical transformer, which later caught fire and spread to nearby residential and commercial buildings.