Government officials and staff faced severe challenges in entering the Bangladesh Secretariat on Thursday morning after a devastating fire engulfed Building 7, disrupting regular operations.
The administrative hub, which typically operates with four entry gates, had only Gate 5 open for access, causing severe congestion.
The fire broke out at 1:52 am on Wednesday night and engulfed the sixth to ninth floors of Building 7, housing offices of six ministries and multiple departments.
It took 19 firefighting units over six and a half hours to bring the blaze under control. While the cause of the fire remains unknown, the extent of the damage is yet to be determined.
Officials described the entry process as arduous, with long queues forming as identification cards were verified.
Adding to the challenges, curious onlookers gathered outside the Secretariat, prompting heightened security measures. Police and military personnel have been deployed to ensure order and safety.
The building 7 accommodates ministries like Youth and Sports; Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology; Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives; Labour and Employment; and the Ministry of Finance.
Except for Building No. 4, the remaining nine buildings of the Secretariat experienced a power outage for 10hours, disrupting official activities. By 1pm, when this report was filed, power had only been restored to Building 4, and most offices in the Secretariat remained closed.
Many officials and staff were seen leaving after waiting for hours.
Some officials stated that although they were allowed to enter the Secretariat, they were unable to access their offices as the doors were locked. Muhammad Jahed Kamal, Director General (DG) of the Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD), explained that the power supply was cut off as a precautionary measure to prevent any further incidents.
He also said that 211 firefighters from 20 units were deployed to extinguish the fire.
