Dhaka: A huge fire broke out at a private container depot in Sitakunda sub-district of Chittagong, Bangladesh, on Saturday night, killing 16 people. While 450 people have been injured. The fire broke out at a BM container depot in Kadmarsul area of the sub-district. In this regard, SI Nurul Alam of Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH) said that in the preliminary investigation of the incident, it is suspected that the fire started in the container depot due to chemicals. According to reports, a huge explosion took place when the fire was extinguished. According to the Dhaka Tribune, the fire became more fierce after the blast.
The fire spread from one container to another
SI Nurul Alam said the fire started around 9 p.m. However, at 11:45 a.m., a huge explosion occurred, after which the fire spread from one container to another due to chemicals in the container. Istaqul Islam, head of the health and services department at Red Crescent Youth Chittagong, confirmed the deaths to local media outlets in Bangladesh.
19 fire units are in operation
More than 450 people were injured in the incident, 350 of whom are in CMCH. Mortality may be higher in other hospitals. The blast caused a loud bang in a nearby town and shattered the windows of surrounding houses. Mohammad Farooq Hussain Sikder, assistant director of Chittagong Fire Service and Civil Defense, said: “About 19 fire units are working to contain the fire and six ambulances are also available on site.”
Likely to increase mortality
BM Container Depot has been established as Inland Container Depot, which has been in operation since May 2011. Chittagong District Superintendent of Police (SP) SM Rashidul Haque, about 242 km south-east of the capital Dhaka, told Chinese media outlet Xinhua early Sunday morning that three people had died after being admitted to Chittagong Medical College Hospital. Most of the injured were mild to severe burns. While many others are in critical condition. Firefighters working overnight to contain the blaze have raised fears that the death toll could rise.