With cellphone flashlights, they called for help

Residents trapped inside resorted to getting on a balcony to attract the attention of firefighters with their screams and cellphone flashlights after a fire broke out at a 12-storey building in Gulshan-2 last evening.

"I couldn't see the fire, but there was a lot of smoke. Four people stuck inside were screaming 'bachao' (save us) from a balcony," said a witness, Mohammad Hasan.

"At one point, a person on fire jumped off a balcony of the building, screaming 'bachao'," he added.

Hasan said, "I was returning home after work around 7:30 in the evening when I came across the incident."

From the scene of the incident, our correspondents reported that the fire caused widespread panic in the area, with residents leaving their homes and taking to the streets.

The entire area had a power failure, and neighbours were seen observing the firefighting efforts from their balconies and rooftops.

The crowd of curious onlookers had gathered at the scene, posing challenges for the fire service and police personnel who were trying to carry out rescue efforts.

According to local resident, Billal Hossen, he and his family of six had to evacuate as the fire broke out right next to their house.

Another local Mizanur Rahman said, "Three people jumped off a balcony of the building into a swimming pool on the compound to escape the fire. Luckily, they were not severely injured."

The fire left one person dead and several others injured. At least 22 people were rescued during the incident.