Major fire engulfs highrise in Bangladesh

Dhaka, Feb 26 (UNI) A major fire broke out at an 11-storey building housing two private channels and a newspaper office in the Bangladesh capital today, trapping hundreds of people and forcing two private television channels to abruptly suspend their transmission.

Troops were called in aid of the fire fighters to rescue the people who took shelter on the rooftop of the building that also houses a Bengali daily besides several banks and business offices.

Three helicopters were also pressed into action to evacuate the trapped.

The fire that broke out at about 1030 hrs from an electric short circuit forced private televisions channels NTV and RTV to suspend their transmission.

Preliminary report said some 20 injured people have been rescued so far by the fire fighters.

UNI