In a heartbreaking incident on Thursday night, two employees of the renowned Kacchi Bhai restaurant lost their lives in a fierce fire that engulfed a seven-storey building on Bailey Road in the heart of the capital.
The victims have been identified as 22-year-old Jihad Hossain and 20-year-old Rocky.
Jisan, the Manager of Kacchi Bhai, revealed that at the time of the fire outbreak, 25 staff members were on duty, tragically resulting in the loss of two lives.
According to Jisan, the fire originated from a nearby tea shop named Chumuk, intensifying the tragedy.
The devastating incident claimed the lives of at least 45 people, while more than 20 others sustained severe injuries during the Thursday night blaze.
Heroic efforts by firefighters led to the rescue of 70 individuals, with 42 found unconscious, from the rooftop and various floors of the seven-storey Green Cozy Cottage.
The fire initiated at Kacchi Bhai, located on the first floor, around 9:45 pm. As the flames rapidly spread to other levels, many patrons dining in the restaurant were trapped.
Tragically, a significant number of casualties occurred as people resorted to desperate measures such as jumping off the building, succumbing to burns, or asphyxiation, according to statements from the firefighters who successfully brought the blaze under control by 12:30 am.
Fire officials pointed out that the rapid spread of the fire was exacerbated by the presence of gas cylinders in the restaurant kitchens on multiple floors. The situation was further compounded as occupants were hindered from evacuating the building due to smoke-filled staircases.
This devastating incident serves as a somber reminder of the importance of fire safety measures in public spaces, urging authorities and businesses alike to prioritize and enhance safety protocols to prevent such tragic occurrences.
