Probe to reveal whether Ctg fire sabotage or accident: Info Minister

Investigation will reveal whether the Chattogram container depot fire was an accident or sabotage, said information Minister Hasan Mahmud on Sunday.

Investigations are on to detect the real reason behind the devastating fire at BM container depot in Sitakund, he said.

It could have been sabotage. Only a proper investigation can reveal the truth, he added.

The prime minister herself is looking after the matter and she instructed all concerned to provide necessary support, said Hasan while speaking at a meeting with Crime Reporters Association of Bangladesh (Crab).

The death toll from the deadly fire at privately run inland container depot rose to 49 on Sunday, said fire service officials.

‘The death toll from the fire climbed to 49 and there were nine fire service members among the deceased,” said Anisur Rahman, deputy director of Fire Service and Civil Defense, while briefing reporters at Chattogram Medical College and Hospital over the deadly fire incident.

Besides, over 300 people suffered injuries, most of them from burns.

Two committees have been formed to investigate the blaze and blasts.

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.”

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.