Flat owners of the Banani building, damaged in a fire suspected to have been caused by a gas leak, say they want to sit with Dhaka North City Corporation mayor and RAJUK before filing a case over the incident.
Shamsul Alam, one of the owners, said they took the decision yesterday evening. “We plan to file a case over the incident but we will take a final decision after meeting the mayor and RAJUK,” he said.
They are asking the concerned authorities to inform them whether they can continue living in the building. “We have spoken with officials of Asset Development, which constructed the building. They will inspect it and let us know whether it is livable,” Shamsul added.
Another resident of the building Dr Shamim Anwarul Haque said they would seek damages.
The fire burned a major portion of the building on Friday. The powerful explosion shattered windows, caused cracks in the building.
The residents started shipping out their valuables with police’s help yesterday. Most of them are currently living with their relatives.
Banani police station OC Salauddin Khan said: “We are helping the flat owners remove their valuables. The building will remain vacant until further notice.”
Petrobangla’s Deputy Manager Tarikul Islam told the Dhaka Tribune that a four-member committee had been formed to investigate the incident. The body will file a report within seven business days and make recommendations to avert recurrence of such incidents.
