Water shortages hinder firefighters battling Bangladesh market blaze

Nine firefighting units were battling a blaze at Manzur Khan Plaza in Bangladesh’s Chawkbazar area Monday evening, with narrow lanes, heavy smoke, and water shortages hampering their work.

The fire remained out of control more than four hours after it started, The Financial Express reported, citing bdnews24.com.

Fire service control room duty officer Shahjahan Hossain said around 9 p.m., Bangladesh time, that large vehicles could not enter the narrow lanes. He said additional units could be deployed if needed.

Fire Service and Civil Defence media officer Talha Bin Jasim said crews received the alarm at 5:04 p.m. and arrived at 5:22 p.m.

The blaze began in a sixth-floor shop. Officials had not immediately determined its cause or assessed the damage.