Major fire at popular clothing market in Bangladesh capital

BREAK,

No immediate casualties were reported, an official says, adding that firefighters from 47 units were working to put out the blaze.

A large fire is raging at a popular market for cheaper clothing in the capital of Bangladesh.

The fire started at 6:10 am (12:10 GMT) on Tuesday in Dhaka’s Bangabazar market, but there were no immediate casualties, Rafi Al Faruk told The Associated Press by phone.

He said firefighters from 47 units were working to put out the huge blaze.

“We have no immediate reports of casualties,” he said.

Anwarul Islam, another firefighter, said he had no idea how the fire started.

Fires often occur in commercial places in Bangladesh due to lax monitoring and lack of fire safety measures.

But the country’s huge clothing industry, which has experienced massive disasters in the past, including devastating fires, has improved significantly over the past decade.

More details were awaited.