A fire that broke out early Thursday in Secretariat building number 7 in the capital's Segunbagicha area, was brought under control after six hours.

Shahjahan Shikder, acting officer (Media Cell) of the Fire Service and Civil Defence Headquarters, confirmed the matter.

He said the blaze was contained at 8:05 am, following efforts by at least 19 firefighting units. 

The fire service received the report at 1:52 am, initially dispatching eight units. An additional 10 units joined later to reinforce the operation.

Personnel from the army, police, and Armed Police Battalion (APBN) also assisted in the firefighting efforts. 

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Brigadier General Muhammad Jahed Kamal, Director General of the Fire Service and Civil Defence, said at the scene that only 10 firefighting units could actively operate due to access challenges for some vehicles. 

The fire had spread from the fifth to the eighth floors of the building, he added.

He said that the operation was delayed because the area was confined and restricted. Locked rooms and sealed windows required firefighters to break in and spray water inside. 

Efforts were underway on preventing the fire from spreading further and minimizing damage, the official added.

BDST: 0946 HRS, DEC 26, 2024
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