29 fall ill due to smoke inhalation during fire

At least 29 persons including 14 firefighters became ill due to smoke inhalation during the fire that broke out at Dhaka New Super Market this morning.

The others include two members of Bangladesh Ansar, one air force member, two volunteers and 10 shop owners and employees, fire service and hospital sources said.

Twenty-four of them including nine firefighters and one air force member were rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital's burn unit, hospital sources said.

The firefighters said they fell sick after they were forced to inhale smoke while trying to fight the fire. The shop employees and owners were trying to take their goods to safety.

At present, 30 fire service units, as well as teams from army, navy and air force, are working to douse the flames.