Dhaka, Dec. 13 -- A fire at a multi-storey building complex in Keraniganj on the outskirts of Dhaka has yet to be tamed more than seven hours after it broke out.

Fourteen firefighting units are battling the flames, which erupted in the basement of the Jabale Noor Tower in the Aganagar area near Babubazar around 5:30am on Saturday, according to officials.

Fire Service media officer Shahjahan Sikder said the complex is made up of several separate buildings but shares a single basement. It houses garment shops and small scrap warehouses on the lower floors, with residential apartments above.

"There are only two access points to the basement. We have had to cut open locks and shutters of shops to reach the fire, which is why it is taking t...