Dhaka, March 4 -- A devastating fire at "Saudia," a residential hotel in the Bashatala area of Shahjadpur, claimed the lives of four individuals on Monday. The victims were found inside a bathroom on the sixth floor, with the staircase door locked, authorities confirmed.

According to Talha bin Jasim, the station officer at the Fire Service and Civil Defence Headquarters, the fire originated on the second floor of the six-storey building around noon. The fire service control room was notified at 12:17 pm, prompting an immediate response.

"Two firefighting units were dispatched to the location, and the blaze was brought under control by 1:03 pm," said Rashed Bin Khalid, duty officer at the control room.

The circumstances surrounding the ...