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Bangladesh: Three people have been arrested in connection with the Bangladesh building fire which claimed 46 lives. According to fire service officials, the fire erupted at the ‘Kacchi Bhai’ restaurant on the first floor of the building, Green Cozy Cottage, and quickly spread to the upper floors that had more restaurants and a garment shop.
According to the police information, the arrested were identified as two owners of an eatery called Chumuk and the manager of Kacchi Bhai restaurant. Additional Commissioner Kh Mahid Uddin said, “The fire started from the food shop on the ground floor of the building. The police will file a case over negligence in connection with the deaths in the fire incident.”
He said a case will be filed over negligence in connection with the deaths in the fire incident. Legal action will be taken against whoever is found responsible in this incident, further said the police, adding that the trio arrested are being interrogated.
Additionally, the building where the fire broke out, had permission for office use and was not allowed to house restaurants, said Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk), responsible for approving building designs in the city. Anyone from the victim’s family can file a case if they want, he said.
Ashraful Islam, Town Planner and Director of the Detailed Area Planning (DAP) project of Rajuk said commercial approval had been taken for the building from one to seven floors, and there was no approval for restaurants, showrooms, or anything else. Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed grief over the loss of lives and property in the incident.
Despite the valiant efforts of firefighters, the blaze claimed the lives of 46 individuals, while at least 22 others sustained injuries. The injured were promptly transported to nearby medical facilities for treatment. Dhaka Additional Deputy Commissioner AKM Hedayetul Islam said, “We have given assistance of Tk25 thousand to the deceased’s families who are not solvent.”
