DHAKA, Oct 27, 2023 (BSS) - Firefighters were able to douse the fire of Khaja Tower at Mohakhali in the city at 8.45am today after sixteen hours efforts since the devastating fire broke out at 4.45 pm on Thursday.

"A total of thirteen units of Fire Service and Civil Defence worked to douse the blaze. Bangladesh Army, Navy, and Air Force personnel also joined them in the effort...the fire has been extinguished completely after sixteen hours," deputy assistant director (media cell) of Fire Service and Civil Defense headquarters Mohamamd Shahjahan Shikdar told BSS this noon.

Initially, four fire fighting units started work to bring the fire under control and then more nine units joined the work in phases, said the official.

Three people were, so far, killed and 10 others injured due to fire.

The deceased were identified as Rafiqul Islam, 65, resident of Mirpur, Aklima Rahman, 33, and Hasna Hena, 27, of Mohammadpur's Bosila area confirmed by the police.

Rafiqul was pronounced dead after being brought to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, said Inspector Bachchu Mia, in-charge of DMCH police outpost.

He worked as a project coordinator at Saif Powertec Ltd, on the 13th floor of the 14-storey building.

Firefighters recovered the body of Aklima from the 11th floor, said Md Mostafizur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Banani Police Station.

The fire is causing significant disruption in internet and telecommunication services in the capital and across the country as the building houses operation centres of several international internet gateway (IIG) service providers, data centres, and interconnection exchanges (ICXs).

Dhaka North city mayor and fire service director general visited the spot.