People risk their lives to flee as Bangladeshi capital high-rise catches fire

DHAKA, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Several people were forced to jump from upper floors after a massive fire broke out at a 22-storey commercial BUILDING in the Banani area of the Bangladeshi Capital Dhaka on Thursday afternoon.

Men and women were seen climbing down from the upper floors of the BUILDING to find safety, with some even risking their lives as they were trying to flee the fire.

Many people who could not get out of the BUILDING were seen gathering on the verandas of several floors.

The fire at the FR Tower housing offices and restaurants started on its seventh floor at around 1:00 p.m. local time on Thursday.

It quickly spread to other floors with intense flames and thick black smoke visible.

"We've rescued at least six people who were forced to jump to escape the fire," said a fireman who did not give his name.

Apart from them, the fireman in rescue operations said several others climbed down the BUILDING with minor injuries amid gusts of smoke in a bid to escape the blaze.

Helicopters were seen hovering around the area to rescue people trapped on the upper floors.

Panic-gripped people were seen seeking support through windows of several floors, Xinhua reporters at the site said.

The Fire Service personnel said they managed to rescue dozens of people trapped in the BUILDING's several upper floors.

Mizanur Rahman, a fire department control room official, told Xinhua that as many as 19 fire-fighting units have been striving to put out the blaze.

At about 3:35 p.m. local time, TV footage showed thick plumes of smoke billowing into the sky over the BUILDING at Dhaka's posh Banani area.

It was not clear how many people were inside the BUILDING when it caught fire.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known.

No casualties were reported officially so far.