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Fire engulfs Bangladesh mega-mall | Fire engulfs Bangladesh mega-mall |
(10 minutes later) | |
A huge fire has broken out in one of the largest shopping complexes in the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, officials say. Fire-fighters are at the scene. | A huge fire has broken out in one of the largest shopping complexes in the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, officials say. Fire-fighters are at the scene. |
The fire is so hot that the windows of the Bashundhara City mall are reported to be melting. Nearby shops are also reported to have been set ablaze. | The fire is so hot that the windows of the Bashundhara City mall are reported to be melting. Nearby shops are also reported to have been set ablaze. |
Officials say casualty figures are not clear, but local media say injured people have been taken to hospital. | Officials say casualty figures are not clear, but local media say injured people have been taken to hospital. |
Officials say the fire broke out on the top floors of the 20-storey building. | Officials say the fire broke out on the top floors of the 20-storey building. |
It now has clouds of black smoke billowing out of it. | It now has clouds of black smoke billowing out of it. |
Vast atrium | Vast atrium |
Media reports say that the fire-fighters cannot extinguish the flames because they do not have the equipment to go beyond the 13th floor. | Media reports say that the fire-fighters cannot extinguish the flames because they do not have the equipment to go beyond the 13th floor. |
Latest reports say that the fire is dying down after the flames spread downwards from the top floors, trapping some people inside. The reports cannot be confirmed. | Latest reports say that the fire is dying down after the flames spread downwards from the top floors, trapping some people inside. The reports cannot be confirmed. |
Officials say that the only way the emergency services can attempt to put out the flames is by using a helicopter. | Officials say that the only way the emergency services can attempt to put out the flames is by using a helicopter. |
The cause of the fire is not known. | The cause of the fire is not known. |
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has ordered the army, security agencies and all emergency rescue services to join the rescue operation, her press secretary Abul Kalam Azad told reporters. | Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has ordered the army, security agencies and all emergency rescue services to join the rescue operation, her press secretary Abul Kalam Azad told reporters. |
Up to 25,000 people a day visit the capital's first Western-style shopping mall. Friday - the first day of the weekend in Bangladesh - is one of its busiest days. | Up to 25,000 people a day visit the capital's first Western-style shopping mall. Friday - the first day of the weekend in Bangladesh - is one of its busiest days. |
Bashundhara City is near the centre of Bangladesh's capital and was built at a cost of more than $100m. | Bashundhara City is near the centre of Bangladesh's capital and was built at a cost of more than $100m. |
When the mall was completed in 2004, the owners said it was the largest in South Asia and the 12th biggest in the world. | When the mall was completed in 2004, the owners said it was the largest in South Asia and the 12th biggest in the world. |
It took six years to build and boasts a gym, a food court and an indoor theme park as well as Bangladesh's first multiplex cinema. | It took six years to build and boasts a gym, a food court and an indoor theme park as well as Bangladesh's first multiplex cinema. |
The vast central atrium is lit by a glass dome in the roof 60 metres across. | The vast central atrium is lit by a glass dome in the roof 60 metres across. |
Are you in the area? Send us your comments using the form below. | |
Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |