Dhaka: The Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) in the capital Sunday saw a sudden blaze amid a boom in a locked air-conditioned chamber of an official shortly after the office opened for the day after the weekend.

Controversial claims kept the incident clouded as employees and firefighters said the fire occurred as the air-conditioner in the room blasted for having been put on over the weekend mistakenly.

“Sometimes, rooms are closed without switching off the AC,” said many a member of the staff.

But Assistant Directors ASM Abdur Razzak and Khandaker Shafiqul Islam, who use the room, wouldn’t agree. The AD duo said it was not for AC blast—“there might be another reason behind it”.

Important documents, three computers, printer and research papers of the Assistant Director’s room burned badly in the blaze, witnesses told banglanews24.com.bd.

According to an official, they opened the room on the 7th floor after hearing the sound of blast in the morning. “Officials panicked as plumes of smoke engulfed the floor,” he said.

Security guard Osman Ali told the news agency, “We couldn’t put out the flames as the room was locked.”

On information, two units of firefighters rushed in and doused the flames breaking the window glasses.

Habibur Rahman, Assistant Director of the fire brigade, also said the fire incident might have taken place for AC blast.


The total loss has been primarily estimated at Tk 7 lakh, said DAE officials.

BDST: 1423 Hrs, May 16,2010
SRR/SA/SMS/MUA