The work for relocation of chemical warehouse from old town should start right now, Inspector General of Police Javed Patwary said today while visiting Chawkbazar area of Old Dhaka where fire killed at least 70 people.

The death toll from the fire at a chemical warehouse in Chawkbazar area of Old Dhaka jumps to 70, says Fire Service and Civil Defence. Photo: Palash Khan

“Police will definitely play role in this regard. But before they start work, environment department, city corporation and other authorities concerned of the government, who are supposed to monitor it, will have to take the decision (to relocate),” Bangla daily Prothom Alo quoted the IGP as saying.

Read more: Chawkbazar fire: Rescue called off; death toll 70

He was replying to a query from journalists while visiting the fire-ravaged area of old town around 8:30am.

The IGP said there was a chemical warehouse at the building while some CNG-run cars were also parked in front of the building. The vehicles’ gas cylinder exploded due to the fire, he said.

“Besides, there was a parked vehicle with some gas cylinders inside it, which caused huge explosions. And that’s why, the number of death and casualty are high,” he added.

A fire at a chemical warehouse in old Dhaka's Chawbazar area killed at least 70 people.