DHAKA, May 05 (V7N)- Eighteen people were rescued alive from the Capital Siraj Centre Shopping Mall, a 10-storey building, after a fire broke out this evening. The blaze has since been brought under control.

According to Talha bin Zasim, the media officer for the Fire Service and Civil Defence, the fire started in the basement of the building at approximately 6:47 pm today. Following frantic efforts by nine fire fighting engines, the fire was successfully brought under control around 7:47 pm, about an hour after it began.

"We have rescued 18 persons including nine women, two children and seven men from the building," Zasim stated.

The immediate cause of the fire and the extent of the damage incurred are yet to be determined.

END/MSS/RH/