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Published : 19 Oct 2025, 06:16 PM
The fire at the Cargo Village of Shahjalal International Airport has been completely extinguished 27 hours after it broke out.
Lt Col Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury, director of the operations and maintenance of the Fire Service, confirmed it at a media briefing on Sunday.
He said, “Upon receiving news of the fire on Saturday, 37 units worked tirelessly, and by 9:18pm on Saturday, we contained the fire. At 4:55pm on Sunday, we officially declared it fully extinguished.”
Tajul said the affected sections of the cargo village were divided into numerous compartments, many constructed of steel.
“The steel structures range from single to double floors, which is why it took so long to put out the fire,” he said.
He added, “Had there been any active or passive detection systems with protection mechanisms in place, this incident might have been avoided. Our investigation will determine exactly when and how the fire started.”
On the smoke billowing at the site, he said: “The steel structure absorbed a significant amount of heat, which is still being released. This, along with residual combustible materials, is why some smoke is visible. But there is no danger, no active flames.
“Four units will remain here as long as the smoke persists. There is no risk of a major accident, which is why we are declaring it extinguished.”
The fire broke out on Saturday afternoon at the airport’s import cargo segment. Through the combined efforts of 37 fire units, police, Ansar, RAB, APBn, Air Force, and Navy, the fire was brought under control shortly after 9pm.
Two separate investigation committees have been formed by the Internal Resources Division of the finance ministry and the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism.
Significant damage to various imported goods is feared due to the blaze.
