Dhaka: The three-member probe committee formed for investigating the fire havoc in old Dhaka collected clues from witnesses and local panchaet committee on Saturday morning, trying to get at the root cause of the big blaze.

After visiting the spot, Iqbal Khan Chowdhury, chief of the probe committee and Additional Secretary of the Home Ministry, told banglanews24.com.bd that they talked to the panchaet committee of Nimtoli area and witnesses to the incident.

“We’re trying to find out the cause of the fire,” he said.

Earlier, the probe committee went to the spot on Friday evening.

Iqbal Khan said investigation just started. It is not possible to say what cause is hidden behind the devastating fire before a complete investigation.

“We are getting help from everybody for detailed investigation. We need five days more for a thorough investigation.”

Panchaet committee members told banglanews24.com.bd that they informed the probe committee that such a shocking incident occurred for building houses and industries without expert planning.

The locals alleged about 90 percent infrastructures of the Nimtoli area were built without approval from authority. Besides, though Nimtoli is a complete residential area, about 70 percent buildings are used for commercial activities.

BDST 1910 hrs June 3, 2010
JIL/RS/MUA