UPDATE: (June 24, 3:40pm): Students need not worry, said NSU Dean Dr Hannan. "We are taking this time to double-check everything for safety and maintainence. We expect classes to resume within a few days," he said. NSU currently has no electricity, but they have back-up generators ready for operation.
UPDATE: (June 24, 1:44pm): NSU classes are suspended until Saturday, June 29, according to the Vice-chancellor's offical spokesperson.
North South University authorities have postponed all academic activities at their permanent campus in Bashundhara Residential Area until June 29 after a three-hour-long blaze gutted a section of the premises last night.
Vice-chancellor Amin Uddin Sarkar declared the closure during a visit to the site around 11pm, 45-minutes before the fire was brought under control by authorities.
“The VC has informed us of the decision, and also asked that it be shared via Facebook, so that the information is disseminated to all,” Muhtasim Jawad Rhythm, a sixth semester student of the university, told the Dhaka Tribune.
Officials of the Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) told the Dhaka Tribune that nine firefighting units brought the fire under control, which broke out around 8:45pm. They could not confirm the cause of the fire, ascertain damages or confirm casualties at the time.
Md Babul, an operator at the control room of the FSCD, said flames originated from the power grid distribution panel housed in the basement of a newly constructed multi-storey building. The building also houses a gymnasium and an auditorium.
“Six units of the FSCD responded initially and were joined by three more units," said Babul.
Rhythm, who witnessed the blaze, said it originated from building 3 and spread into the basement of building 2, destroying many vehicles that were parked there.
Rifat Islam Esha, a graduate student of the university, said students and staff were evacuated immediately after the fire broke out.
Esha, who was attending class in a building on campus, said she had seen thick black smoke billowing from the building.
Rhythm said the heavy black smoke also engulfed adjacent residential buildings, forcing residents to evacuate. Hundreds of people thronged to the spot, to see how the situation progressed.
