by Naim-Ul-Karim
DHAKA, March 14 (Xinhua) -- "I managed to escape but some of my colleagues were burnt to death. I heard one of my fellow's screaming but I could do nothing," an injured fire fighter said Saturday outside the Bangladesh's biggest shopping mall where a big fire broke out on Friday.
The fire, which began on the 17th floor of the 19-storey shopping complex Bashundhara City in capital Dhaka Friday afternoon, lasted for eight hours before it was put out in the evening.
The injured anonymous fire fighter told Xinhua early Saturday morning that he with other colleagues were helping to displace people caught up just at the 17th floor of the building on Friday afternoon along side working to stem outbreak of the flame.
He is from the fire brigade of the Bashundhara Group, the owner of the posh shopping mall.
"As the fire spread, we started to retreat. But suddenly I found my colleague, who was helping people move out the building, was trapped in a room," he said, adding that he could do nothing at the moment as roof debris were falling down and flames were blocking the way.
Seven people including four fire fighters were killed in the fire and at least 18 others injured while two of them are still in critical condition.
The anonymous fireman said the fire security system inside the building was not functioning well which caused more death.
One of his colleagues Bake Bella, who was trapped on 18th floor, was seen Friday afternoon climbing down by a rope outside the building. Witnesses said he was burnt seriously and suffered from fractures. He died later though he was rushed to hospital after landing.
However, Billah earlier successfully helped five others transfer to a safe place by using a rope.
"I've come here with my boy to show him how rescuers are working at the risk of life," said Hamdur Rahman, one of hundreds of onlookers who crowded outside of the shopping complex.
"We're also here to give mental support to the fire fighters working inside and outside of mega structure," he said.
The fire fighters reached the spot in a short time after the fire broke out. The fire fighters and other security personnel helped hundreds of scared people move out of the building.
After relentless efforts of the fire fighters, the devastating fire was extinguished completely in the evening.
"Thanks God. Fire fighters did very well otherwise it could be more dangerous as the complex is almost surrounded by many large, medium and small burning items. I was afraid of watching burning pieces to float in the air and drop onto nearby buildings," an eyewitness said.
There are some 2,500 shops, a cinema and cafes in the shopping mall.
Though the fire fighters were praised widely for their excellent performance, the lack of required equipment was blamed for their delay to extinguish fire.
Editor: Yan
DHAKA, March 14 (Xinhua) -- "I managed to escape but some of my colleagues were burnt to death. I heard one of my fellow's screaming but I could do nothing," an injured fire fighter said Saturday outside the Bangladesh's biggest shopping mall where a big fire broke out on Friday.
The fire, which began on the 17th floor of the 19-storey shopping complex Bashundhara City in capital Dhaka Friday afternoon, lasted for eight hours before it was put out in the evening.
The injured anonymous fire fighter told Xinhua early Saturday morning that he with other colleagues were helping to displace people caught up just at the 17th floor of the building on Friday afternoon along side working to stem outbreak of the flame.
He is from the fire brigade of the Bashundhara Group, the owner of the posh shopping mall.
"As the fire spread, we started to retreat. But suddenly I found my colleague, who was helping people move out the building, was trapped in a room," he said, adding that he could do nothing at the moment as roof debris were falling down and flames were blocking the way.
Seven people including four fire fighters were killed in the fire and at least 18 others injured while two of them are still in critical condition.
The anonymous fireman said the fire security system inside the building was not functioning well which caused more death.
One of his colleagues Bake Bella, who was trapped on 18th floor, was seen Friday afternoon climbing down by a rope outside the building. Witnesses said he was burnt seriously and suffered from fractures. He died later though he was rushed to hospital after landing.
However, Billah earlier successfully helped five others transfer to a safe place by using a rope.
"I've come here with my boy to show him how rescuers are working at the risk of life," said Hamdur Rahman, one of hundreds of onlookers who crowded outside of the shopping complex.
"We're also here to give mental support to the fire fighters working inside and outside of mega structure," he said.
The fire fighters reached the spot in a short time after the fire broke out. The fire fighters and other security personnel helped hundreds of scared people move out of the building.
After relentless efforts of the fire fighters, the devastating fire was extinguished completely in the evening.
"Thanks God. Fire fighters did very well otherwise it could be more dangerous as the complex is almost surrounded by many large, medium and small burning items. I was afraid of watching burning pieces to float in the air and drop onto nearby buildings," an eyewitness said.
There are some 2,500 shops, a cinema and cafes in the shopping mall.
Though the fire fighters were praised widely for their excellent performance, the lack of required equipment was blamed for their delay to extinguish fire.
Editor: Yan
Copyright ©2009 Xinhua News Agency
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