DHAKA: Fire broke out at a seven-storied commercial building in Dilkusha area in city Saturday afternoon.

Fire Service and Civil Defense headquarters control room duty officer Ataur Rahman told banglanews that 12 units were trying to bring the blaze under control.

The fire broke out at the first floor of Mia Amanullah Building in Dilkusha commercial area around 3:45pm and spread to other floors, he added.

The building houses Bangladesh Industrial and Finance Company Limited (BIFCL) and some insurance offices in the first floor, he added.

He further said that the dousing the dire is taking time due to the heat inside the building for Thai glasses and steel frame.

The temperature inside the building has risen around 200/300 degree Celsius, he added. 

Vehicles plying have decreased significantly due to thick smoke, reported our correspondents.

Meanwhile, assistant director of fire service Rafiqul Islam fell sick due to thick smoke. He was rushed to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital.

Fire Service and Civil Defense director (operations & maintenance) Major A T M Shakil told banglanews that they have sprinkled water applied to bring the heat under control, known as defensive method.

BIFCL managing director Enabur Rahman told banglanews that there were many papers and plastic materials at the office.

Twelve units were working till filing the report to douse the blaze.

BDST: 2150 HRS, MAR 14, 2015