Huge flames shot into the air on Friday amid billowing smoke as hundreds of panicked people, many carrying shopping bags, fled Dhaka's 22-story Bashundhara City mall, which had more than 2,000 stores and cafes.

A security guard died at a hospital hours after the blaze broke out on the 18th floor, fire official Selina Chowdhury said.

Firefighters recovered three bodies, all of them men, from an elevator after the fire was brought under control, said Dhaka Metropolitan Police official Mahbubur Rahman.

Firefighter Sheikh Mohammad Shahjalal said they recovered another three bodies later, but would not provide details.

Fifteen fire trucks responded, but the flames spread quickly. Troops and police joined firefighters in the rescue work, said Abul Kalam Azad, spokesman for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

An air force helicopter rescued three people, including the mall's chief security officer, from the roof, Rahman said.