The fierce blaze that erupted at a sawmill in Dhaka's Khilgaon area on Friday (21 February) night swiftly engulfed a neighbouring garage complex, reducing 20 automobile repair shops to ashes and destroying 24 vehicles in its wake.
The inferno, which broke out in the Taltola area of Khilgaon, has left affected business owners in financial ruins.
During a site visit on Saturday (22 February), the devastating aftermath revealed a scene of complete destruction - the structural frameworks of shops, vehicles under repair, and automotive parts were all consumed by the flames.
The scorched remains indicated that the vehicles and motorcycles had been systematically arranged within the L-shaped garage complex.
The intense heat had warped the tin roofing, whilst storage cabinets containing tools and equipment were completely incinerated.
Several gas cylinders were found scattered across the site as affected business owners surveyed the wreckage in distress.
Mohammed Munna Miah, one of the affected shop owners, reported that approximately 17 private cars and seven motorcycles were destroyed in the blaze.
Business owners expressed suspicion about the fire's origin, noting that the complex was closed on Friday as staff were attending a picnic in Gazipur, with only two security guards present.
"We frequently close the market without incident. However, the fire coincidentally occurred when no one was present. This raises serious concerns," said Mohammed Masum, president of the Bangladesh Automobile Owners Association for the Khilgaon, Shajahanpur, Sabujbagh, Mugda, and Rampura regions.
Fire Service and police have launched separate investigations into the cause of the blaze.
Khilgaon Police Station has recorded a General Diary (GD) regarding the incident.
The Officer-in-Charge of Khilgaon Police Station, Daud Hossain, said that multiple angles are being explored in the investigation.
Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury, director of operations and maintenance at the Fire Service, explained that the presence of oxyacetylene torches, painting chemicals, and numerous cylinders in the garage complex contributed to explosions that caused the fire to spread rapidly.
Ten fire service units worked to contain the blaze.
In a separate incident on the same night, a fire broke out in Korail slum at 12:44am on Sunday (23 February) destroying 61 dwellings.
Fire service officials reported that the blaze, which originated from a kitchen stove, was brought under control by ten units at 1:35am.
No casualties were reported in this incident.
The estimated financial losses from both incidents are yet to be determined, though business owners at the garage complex face significant setbacks in rebuilding their livelihoods.
