The authorities concerned stopped operation of all flights for a couple of hours at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in the capital to avert danger following a devastating fire at the terminal building -1 on Friday.
According to the HSIA officials, the fire broke out at Air India office on the second floor of the terminal building at about 1:37pm. The fire fighters managed to control the fire at about 3:00pm.
The fire forced at least 5oo passengers to self-evacuate the area and take shelter in the safe zone. An abnormal situation created at the airport when panic-stricken passengers and visitors started fleeing here and there.
Officials of different departments were also compelled to leave the place while thick smoke covered the entire building. No major causality, however, was reported till filing of this report yesterday evening.
The airport authorities allowed some domestic and international flights for landing about three hours after the incident. But none of the flights got permission for departure till 7:00pm yesterday. Besides, the usual official works were also suspended for the same reason.
Biman’s General Manger for Public Relations Shakil Meraj told The New Nation last night, “The fire first broke out at the Air India office on the second floor. There is also an office of Biman on the same floor… The flight departure started around 7:00pm.”
Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) officials said eleven fire fighting vehicles rushed to the spot and extinguished the fire at around 3:00pm after a frantic effort for about two hours.
The FSCD and Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) have formed two investigation committees to unearth the reason behind the fire at the country’s prime airport.
Public Relations Officer of CAAB Rezaul Karim told The New Nation, “A three-member inquiry committee has been formed by the CAAB. Besides, the FSCD has formed another committee to investigate the incident.”
The airport officials primarily suspected that the fire was originated from the electric short circuit.
But Director (operations) of FSCD Major AKM Shakil Newaz said, “It is yet not possible to get the exact figure of damage in the fire. Besides, the reason behind the fire will also be unearthed after an investigation. The FSCD probe committee has been asked to submit its report within the next seven days.”
“We rushed to the spot just to get information of catching fire. The fire was under control at about 3:05pm. We have used modern technology to douse the fire. It can be an example to extinguish the fire in such a short period,” Major Shahil said.
On the other hand, Chief Security Officer of HSIA Rashida Sultana said, “The landing of flights remained as usual. But the flight departure has been suspended. No flight took off since then.”
