The interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, has stated that it is premature to ascertain whether the fire that erupted in the Bangladesh Secretariat on Thursday was the result of a conspiracy or an act of sabotage.
A significant fire ignited in Building 7 of the Bangladesh Secretariat in Dhaka during the early hours of Thursday, December 26. It took more than six hours to extinguish the flames.
According to Bangladesh’s Home Affairs Adviser, Lt Gen (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, the fire service received notification at 1:52 am and commenced operations at 1:54 am. The fire was fully controlled by 8:05 am. The blaze reportedly began on the fifth floor of Building 7 around 1:50 am before spreading to the upper floors.
Increased security measures have been implemented at the Bangladesh Secretariat, with personnel from the armed forces, police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) stationed at various entrances to the complex.
A high-powered investigation committee has been established to examine the incident. During a media briefing at the fire site, Jahangir remarked, “It is too early to determine whether the fire at Building 7 of the Bangladesh Secretariat was part of a conspiracy or an act of sabotage.” He emphasized that the cause of the fire would only be established following a comprehensive investigation.
The fire inflicted considerable damage to the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth floors of the building, as reported by Dhaka Tribune, citing Fire Service and Civil Defence Director General Brigadier General Muhammad Jahed Kamal.
The fire service chief additionally indicated that the flames had rapidly propagated due to the electrical lines.
He noted that firefighters were currently entering various rooms within the building to ensure that all traces of the fire were completely extinguished.
One fatality in the Bangladesh Secretariat fire
Following the alert regarding the fire at the Secretariat, approximately eight fire tenders were dispatched to the scene. Additional units arrived subsequently, resulting in a total of 19 firefighting vehicles being deployed to combat the blaze.
Tragically, a firefighter named Sohanuzzaman Nayan lost his life after being struck by a truck while attempting to cross the road.
He was injured when a truck hit him as he was crossing the street to connect a line from a local water pump. He was immediately transported to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. According to a report from the Bangladesh-based media outlet Prothom Alo, Sohanuzzaman was part of the special unit in Tejgaon and hailed from Mithapukur upazila in Rangpur.
Investigation into the cause of the fire at the Bangladesh Secretariat
Authorities stated that the exact cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
According to the Cabinet Division’s website, Building 7 of the Bangladesh Secretariat accommodates several departments, including the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Ministry of Finance, and Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges.
The fire caused significant traffic disruptions on the main road in front of the Secretariat, stretching from Paltan to Zero Point. Fire tenders and other emergency response teams occupied the area, with several ambulances on standby.
A considerable number of onlookers gathered outside the Secretariat, alongside officials and staff who were unable to enter their offices earlier.
However, controlled access to the Bangladesh Secretariat resumed on Thursday morning under stringent security protocols.
