A fire has broken out in an apartment building in the capital's Banani area.
Residents and flat owners of the apartment claimed that the fire might have been originated from gas leakage.
When asked whether the fire broke out from gas leakage, Fire Service Headquarters duty officer Ataur Rahman told the Dhaka Tribune: "We are not confirm about the reason of the fire. It can be said after investigation."
Flat owner Shamsul Alam said: "We noticed that gas was being leaked from the line in front of the apartment. We informed Tisas Gas office about the leakage two to three days ago but they said they did not have laboubers to fix the problem. Titas was again informed around 11pm Thursday but nothing happened."
Photo: Mahmud Hossain Opu
Citing that Dhaka North City Corporation was working on sewerage lines in the road in front of the building, Shamsul Alam said gas might have been mixed with sewerage water and the explosion occurred due to excessive pressure of gas.
Another resident Naiar Rahman alleged that Titas authorities did not take any attempt despite they were informed several times.
Titas Gas Deputy Manager Harun-or-Rashid told the Dhaka Tribune: "We received complain about gas leakage around 4pm Thursday. The leak might have been occurred due to city corporation's road digging work. But none from the city corporation informed us about the leakage."
While visiting the spot, DNCC Mayor Annisul Huq said: "Road digging work is going on but the fire was not caused from here. It originated from inside the building. The cause will be known after investigation."
The mayor, however, said there was fault in the gas line and Titas cannot avoid the responsibility.
Annisul said contractor company representative Tariqul Islam Munna informed Titas about the gas leak on March 17 but no action was taken in this regard.
He also said that residents of the building will be allowed to take away their valuables at 10am Saturday. "The building will remain vacant until further decision."
An expert team of Buet led by Civil Engineering department professor Ishtiaq Ahmed visited the building around 5pm.
After the visit, Ishtiaq Ahmed said: "We are primarily suspecting that the fire might have caused from gas leakage."
He said major structure of the building was not affected by the fire but decision on residing in it would be taken after conducting survey.
Rajuk Chairman Joynal Abedin said they would provide assistance to the flat owners if they seek any.
Police were deployed in and around the building to ensure security of the residents in the area.
The fire broke out on the third and sixth floors of the multi-storey building around 1:40am Friday.
Fire Service Headquarters Warehouse Inspector Polash Modobdar told the Dhaka Tribune: “On information, some 15 units of the fire service went to the spot and douse the blaze around 4:40am.”
The fire rangers rescued 20 people who were trapped in building during the fire.
Two persons were injured in the incident. Injured Naved Imtiaz and Md Saifullah were admitted to United Hospital, Flat owner Shamsul Alam said.
Another five people fell sick due to the smoke and panic of fire. They were released from hospital after primary treatment.
Earlier in February, five members of a family were burnt in a fire that broke out when a gas pipeline exploded at a residence in Uttara. Later, four of them died.