March 17, 2002	Sunday	Muharram 2, 1423

DHAKA, March 16: A fire swept through a madressah for girls on the fringe of Dhaka early on Saturday, killing at least seven pupils.

They said another 50 were treated in hospitals and private clinics after the fire destroyed a dormitory housing about 200 girls aged between five and 15.

Rescuers said they believed the toll could rise as more bodies are recovered from the ashes.

“We are waiting for all the parents to come and check the students list and identify anyone missing,” said a local parliament member, Mohammad Salahuddin.

Journalists saw a charred hand in the smouldering ashes, with wailing relatives sifting through the debris.

The fire started around 3am whipped by winds it engulfed the entire premises quickly, one witness said.—Reuters