Six people have died in a fire that broke out at a six-storey residential building in Uttara, Dhaka, raising the death toll to six.

According to the Fire Service, the blaze started around 7:50 am on Friday. Initially, three deaths were confirmed at the scene. Later, police said three more victims died while undergoing treatment at hospital.

Deputy Commissioner of Uttara Division of Police, Shahriar Ali, confirmed the additional deaths in the afternoon. Among the deceased are two women, one man and a child. The identities of the remaining victims have not yet been confirmed.

Fire Service official Talha Bin Jasim said the fire occurred at a house on Road 18 in Sector 11 of Uttara, originating on the second floor. Three people were burned to death, while at least 13 others fell ill due to smoke inhalation and were taken to Kuwait Maitree Hospital.

The fire spread rapidly because the apartment contained a large amount of furniture, which quickly caught fire, he added.

Assistant Director of Fire Service Dhaka Zone-3, Md Abdul Mannan, said the fire may have been caused by an electrical short circuit. Flames spread from the second floor up to the third floor.

Firefighters brought the blaze under control by 8:25 am, and it was fully extinguished by around 10:00 am, according to Fire Service sources.