The fire that broke out in building 7 of the secretariat, located in Segunbagicha, Dhaka, has been brought under control after more than six and a half hours.
Despite the fire being extinguished, the highly sensitive site remains under stringent security measures, causing significant delays for those attempting to enter.
On Thursday (26 December), the entrances around the secretariat bore witness to long queues as the authorities enforced strict checks.
According to on-ground observations, law enforcement agencies, including police, RAB, and BGB personnel, are stationed near the main entrance of the secretariat.
Access is being heavily restricted, with only officials and staff permitted entry through gate 5 near the Press Club.
Rigorous security checks at this gate have led to lengthy queues.
Fire Service officials confirmed that the fire, which began in building 7, was brought under control at 8:15am on Thursday, said Shahjahan Shikder from the Fire Service’s media cell.
The Fire Service reported receiving the first alert at 1:52am.
Units arrived at the site by 1:54am.
Initially, eight units were deployed to combat the fire, but the number was subsequently increased to 19 to bring the situation under control.
Tragically, a Fire Service member lost his life as he was struck by a truck while crossing the road to connect water lines to the pumps.
He was rushed to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, where he was pronounced dead by doctors.
While the loss of a firefighter has been confirmed, the full extent of the damage caused by the fire, as well as its origin, remains unknown. Investigations are underway.
