At least 69 people were killed as fire broke out in an apartment building in Bangladesh’s Dhaka city late on Wednesday night.

The incident, which took place in old Dhaka’s Chawkbazar area, was confirmed by fire officials. At least 16 fire tenders and over 200 firemen were rushed to the spot.

Reports said the fire broke out from the apartment’s basement, which was also used as a chemical warehouse.

The death toll is expected to rise.

After the fire gathered momentum, it spread to four other adjoining building, trapping dozens of men inside the campus. The situation was aggravated by the menacing traffic jams in the city, as it prevented people from escaping.

Fire officials said that the presence of chemicals made it tougher than usual for them. They confirmed that the four other affected building were also used as chemical warehouses.

Apart from the casualties, at least two four wheelers and 10 cycle rickshaws were destroyed in the fire.

Identifying the victims, Deputy commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Ibrahim Khan said they included members of a bridal party, commuters and people inside an eatery.

The inferno also injured at least 45 people, including four who were said to be critical.

Around a decade ago, in 2010, at least 120 people were killed in a fire incident in Old Dhaka. The building where the fire started was used as a chemical warehouse.

According to reports, it had triggered a strong response from the authorities who initiated a crackdown on chemical warehouses in residential areas, however, the recent incident shows that the drill has fallen ineffective.