Bangladeshi housing-block fire kills dozens

It began after an electrical transformer exploded, engulfing housing blocks and shops in flames.

Firefighters say they have now got the blaze under control, in the old district of Nimtoli.

Although fires are common in Dhaka, analysts say this is the largest and most deadly for many years.

Nimtoli district is crammed with buildings and roads are narrow, making access for the emergency services difficult.

The BBC's Mark Dummett in Dhaka says the city is one of the most densely populated cities in the world - and Nimtoli is its most crowded district.

He says many people live in badly constructed multi-storey buildings with no fire escapes or safety equipment.

Fire department chief Abu Nayeem said the fire had engulfed at least seven buildings.

"There were shops selling chemicals on the ground floor, which were caught by the fire as it spread very quickly," he told AFP news agency.

"The temperature and fumes became unbearable because of the chemicals.

"We struggled to get inside due to the narrow stairways of the very old buildings."

A large wedding party was under way on the roof of one of the buildings at the time of the fire.

"The bride was spared from the fire as she had been at the local beauty salon," an eyewitness told AFP.

Rahima Begum, a resident of one of the buildings affected, said she had been having dinner when the fire started.

"Suddenly I heard a huge bang and found the flames spread to two to three nearby buildings," she was quoted as saying by Bangladesh's Daily Star; Kazinform cites BBC News.