DHAKA - A devastating fire broke out in a six-story building housing restaurants in Bangladesh's capital, claiming the lives of at least 45 individuals and injuring numerous others, according to the health minister's announcement. The fire, suspected to have been sparked by a gas leak or stove malfunction in a biryani restaurant, spread rapidly and took two hours for firefighters from 13 units to control.

Health Minister Samanta Lal Sen reported that 22 people with severe burn injuries are receiving critical treatment at hospitals. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed deep sorrow over the incident and instructed authorities to ensure prompt medical care for the injured.

Survivor Mohammad Altaf described his harrowing escape from the flames, which claimed the lives of two of his coworkers. Firefighters employed cranes to rescue individuals from the engulfed building, and efforts are ongoing to clear debris and extinguish any remaining embers.

Relatives gathered at hospitals to claim the bodies of the deceased, most of whom perished due to suffocation or jumping from the building. Authorities suspect the fire originated from a gas leak or stove malfunction, exacerbated by the building's hazardous conditions, including the presence of gas cylinders on each floor and inadequate safety measures such as emergency exits.

A government-appointed panel has been tasked with investigating the incident, while the main opposition party criticized the government for the lack of accountability, citing recurrent accidents and loss of lives due to inadequate safety standards.

Despite improvements in safety standards in the garment sector following past tragedies, other industries catering to the domestic economy continue to witness deadly fires, attributed to various factors such as faulty equipment and poor infrastructure. Dhaka's densely populated areas remain particularly vulnerable to such incidents, with many buildings lacking proper safety measures.