The density of the residential area affected made it difficult for firefighters to quell the blaze.

[5] Also, the narrow lanes of Old Dhaka and staircases of old buildings made it challenging for fire service equipment to reach the site.

[2] The fire affected multiple residential buildings in the Nimtoli area,[6] and trapped residents inside apartments.

[9] The injured were treated at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital, which struggled to cope with the large number of patients suffering burns and smoke inhalation.

[13] The Bangladesh cricket team, who took the field the day after the fire during their tour of England, wore black armbands in remembrance.