7-member probe body formed over Ctg BM depot fire

A seven-member inquiry committee has been formed to probe the BM Container Depot fire incident that erupted at Chattogram's Sitakunda on Saturday night and left dozons dead and over 300 injured.

The committee will be headed by Lt Colonel Md Rezaul Karim, to ascertain the cause of the fire and extent of damages, according to the fire service media wing.

The committee has been asked to submit its report within five working days.

Chattogram Division Deputy Director Md Anisur Rahman has been made member secretary.

FSCD Assistant Director Farooq Siddiqui said 49 bodies were so far recovered from the spot, till Sunday.

A fire service media cell press release also said nine firemen died and 15 personnel were injured while trying to extinguish the flame as its two members went missing.

More than 300 injured people, of whom, many received burn injuries, are undergoing treatment in different hospitals in Chattogram, hospital sources said.

However, the actual number of injured people could not be verified independently.

Nazmul Akhtar Khan, general manager of sales and marketing at the BM Depot, said that the depot is spread over 24 acres of land. There were about 4,300 containers, of which 3,000 were empty. As many as 450 containers were for import purposes and 800 for export. The chemical containers are stored separately. It is not known how many chemical containers were there.

“I urge the government to conduct a full investigation. Export materials mainly consisted of clothing and food products. The fire can spread if a clothing container catches fire. That's what has happened.”

Nazmul, general manager of sales and marketing at the BM Depot, arrived at the scene later in the day, around 11 am.

“We will confirm the cause of the fire after an investigation,” he told the media after his arrival. “It could have been sabotage. Only a proper investigation can reveal the truth.”

Ashraful Alam Khan Swapon, the depot’s C&F Agent Association customs affairs secretary, was accompanying Nazmul.

“The depot was storing goods amounting to Tk 10 billion. Hundreds of containers were burnt. There were many workers on the night shift. It is a major blow to the country. Most of the goods here are for export.”