2010 Dhaka fire
Encyclopedia
The 2010 Dhaka fire was a fire in the city of Dhaka
, Bangladesh
, on 3 June 2010 that killed at least 117 people. The fire occurred at the Nimtali area of Old Dhaka.
exploded. The head of the fire department speculated that the fire was fanned by chemicals and other flammable products stored in shops. The density of the residential area affected made it difficult for firefighters to quell the blaze. Also, the narrow lanes of Old Dhaka and staircases of old buildings made it difficult for fire service equipment to enter the area.
The injured were treated at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital, which struggled to cope with the large number of patients suffering burns and smoke inhalation. According to a doctor at the hospital, most of the deaths appeared to have been caused by smoke inhalation rather than burns.
Rescue operations ceased on 4 June 2010.
, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh
, ordered an investigation into the fire. She also offered condolences to the victims and their families. The government announced that 5 June 2010 would be a day of mourning. The Bangladesh cricket team, who took the field the day after the fire during their tour of England, wore black armbands in remembrance.
Dhaka
Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh and the principal city of Dhaka Division. Dhaka is a megacity and one of the major cities of South Asia. Located on the banks of the Buriganga River, Dhaka, along with its metropolitan area, had a population of over 15 million in 2010, making it the largest city...
, Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
, on 3 June 2010 that killed at least 117 people. The fire occurred at the Nimtali area of Old Dhaka.
Cause
The fire was started when an electrical transformerTransformer
A transformer is a device that transfers electrical energy from one circuit to another through inductively coupled conductors—the transformer's coils. A varying current in the first or primary winding creates a varying magnetic flux in the transformer's core and thus a varying magnetic field...
exploded. The head of the fire department speculated that the fire was fanned by chemicals and other flammable products stored in shops. The density of the residential area affected made it difficult for firefighters to quell the blaze. Also, the narrow lanes of Old Dhaka and staircases of old buildings made it difficult for fire service equipment to enter the area.
Casualties
The fire affected multiple residential buildings in the Nimtoli area, and trapped residents inside apartments. The fire started at and lasted for over three hours. At least 117 people were killed and over 100 injured by the fire. The fire affected a wedding party, which exacerbated the casualties. One of the buildings affected by the fire had no fire escapes and its windows were covered by metal grills.The injured were treated at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital, which struggled to cope with the large number of patients suffering burns and smoke inhalation. According to a doctor at the hospital, most of the deaths appeared to have been caused by smoke inhalation rather than burns.
Rescue operations ceased on 4 June 2010.
Reactions
Sheikh HasinaSheikh Hasina
Sheikh Hasina is a Bangladeshi politician and current Prime Minister of Bangladesh. She has been the President of the Awami League, a major political party, since 1981. She is the eldest of five children of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangladesh and widow of a reputed nuclear...
, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh
Prime Minister of Bangladesh
The Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh is the Head of the Government of Bangladesh. The Prime Minister and the Cabinet are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to the Jatiya Sangsad Parliament, to their political party and ultimately to the electorate...
, ordered an investigation into the fire. She also offered condolences to the victims and their families. The government announced that 5 June 2010 would be a day of mourning. The Bangladesh cricket team, who took the field the day after the fire during their tour of England, wore black armbands in remembrance.