Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) authorities have started collecting the DNA samples from the relatives of those who were killed in a massive fire at the Old Dhaka’s Chawkbazar area on Thursday (Feb 21).

The initiative started at 11am on Friday (Feb 22) at DMCH morgue.

Previously on Thursday (Feb 21) it was announced that the relatives have to the CID offices to provide their DNA samples.

“We prefer the parents of the deceased while collecting the DNA samples. If that’s not possible, their siblings’ or children’s DNA will be collected,” CID Assistant DNA Analyst Nusrat Yeasmin told Bangla Tribune.

“It will not take much time to collect the samples from the relatives,” she said, adding that it will, however, take a while for the reports to be prepared based on the body’s condition.

At least 70 people were killed and nearly 50 were injured in a fire that ripped through several buildings at the densely-populated Chawkbazar in Old Dhaka on Wednesday (Feb 20).

As many 37 fire-fighting units worked for more than 11 hours to douse the flames.

A total of 46 bodies have been identified and 45 have been handed over to their relatives.

Now DNA test is required to identify the bodies, most of which have been burned beyond recognition.

The injured are undergoing treatment at different hospitals in Dhaka.

According to fire service the blaze was highly difficult to control because of flammable chemicals that were stored in several buildings.
The fire started at a four-storey building and spread to two neighbouring structures. Among them was a restaurant. It then spread across the narrow alley to two other buildings.

The ground floor of the building, where the fire originated, had several shops. The first floor was being used as a warehouse for plastic goods, cosmetics and perfume. The top two floors were residential.

Wednesday’s is stark reminder of the 2010 Nimtali blaze that claimed 124 lives.