The Department of Explosives has conducted a preliminary investigation into the cause of Wednesday’s fire outbreak in the Churihatta area of Chawkbazar, Old Dhaka.
During the investigation, the department recovered an intact gas cylinder from the pickup truck where the fire allegedly began.
The department’s Chief Inspector Shamsul Alam said: “We have gathered sufficient insight and determined that the fire likely originated from a transformer, a gas cylinder, or a chemical explosion. However, an intact gas cylinder was found on the pickup where the fire supposedly began.”
He said this while addressing reporters after his visit to the incinerated neighbourhood on Friday, reports Bangla Tribune.
Shamsul Alam identified the plastic and chemical factories as responsible for the rapid spread of the fire.
“The department licensed cylinders for both residential and trade purposes, however the amount chemicals present in a certain area is not our jurisdiction, it is RAJUK’s concern,” said the inspector.
He further said: "Recently, the Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Sayeed Khokon and I had visited these areas and discussed various initiatives. If those were undertaken sooner, this tragedy might not have happened.”
“A fire can breakout anytime, but we need to know how to contain it efficiently,” he added.
