Fire in Khilgaon burns 20 shops, 2 sawmills

The fire that broke out at a sawmill near Taltola Bazar in Dhaka's Khilgaon has destroyed another sawmill and at least 20 shops.

The Fire Service believes the fire spread rapidly after the explosion of a chemical-filled drum.

Nine fire units worked for nearly two hours to bring the fire under control at 9:35pm on Friday.

Lt Col Md Tajul Islam Chowdhury, director (operations and maintenance) of the Fire Service, shared this update with journalists.

He said, “About 20 shops and two sawmills were burnt down in the fire in Khilgaon.

“A chemical drum may have exploded, causing the fire to further spread.

“Nine of our units worked to bring the fire under control.

“However, four other units were at the scene but were unable to operate.”

The Fire Service official said, “We have not received any reports of missing persons, injuries, or fatalities from the fire so far.”

Regading the source of the fire, he said: “It cannot be determined without an investigation.

“Fires can be caused by various sources, including electrical short circuits.

“The full extent of the damage will be assessed after the investigation.”

“Three types of work were carried out in the nearby shops: car repairs, painting, and engine work.

“An oxy-acetylene flame was used for repairs, while thinner paint was used for painting. The chemicals present included various highly flammable cylinders.

“Half an hour after our arrival, an explosion occurred, causing the fire to spread quickly.

“It was so intense that we couldn't determine the source.

“With nearby multi-storey buildings, the fire could have spread there as well.

“No compliance is present in this area. Even though the fire has been controlled, we will have to check the entire area thoroughly.”

Earlier, Fire Service Control Room Duty Officer Rashed Bin Khalid said that they received reports of the fire at around 7:30pm on Friday.

"First, two of our units joined and later more units joined."

Fire Service and Civil Defense Department spokesperson Md Shahjahan Sikder said, "The fire was brought under control at 9:35pm with the efforts of nine units of the fire service."

Following the incident, traffic movement outside the Taltola Bazar has been suspended.

Khilgaon Police Station chief Md Daud Hossain said, "That sawmill is near Khilgaon police station. The fire also spread to a nearby car garage.

“The fire service personnel faced difficulties due to the crowd, so we closed part of the road behind Taltola Bazar.”

Witnesses said the fire, which started near Khilgaon Taltola Market and opposite Khilgaon Model College, spread to a sawmill, car workshop, garage, and several tyre, tube, and spare parts shops.

Daud also mentioned a cylinder explosion occurred after the fire spread to a car garage.

Following the outbreak, police and other law-enforcing agencies joined efforts to assist the fire service.