Dhanmondi Apex warehouse fire likely started from electrical panel: Fire Service

The fire at an Apex warehouse on Dhanmondi Road 27 may have originated from an electrical distribution panel, the Fire Service and Civil Defence says.

After the fire was reported at 10:05am on Thursday, six units of firefighters went to the scene and brought the blaze under control around 12pm, nearly two hours later.

Speaking to reporters at the scene in the afternoon, Fire Service Director General Brigadier General Muhammad Jahed Kamal said the fire broke out at the Apex warehouse on the fourth floor of a five-storey building. No casualties were reported.

“The cause of the fire cannot be determined at this point without an investigation. However, people at the warehouse said they first noticed smoke coming from the electrical distribution panel. They then tried to put out the fire using their own firefighting equipment, but failed, and subsequently informed the Fire Service,” he said.

The Fire Service director general said the fire remained confined to the warehouse. There were no visible flames inside, although smoke was still present. The firefighting operation would be completed after the smoke was ventilated from the building, he said.

Regarding the extent of the damage, he said the warehouse had suffered some damage, but it was initially believed to be relatively minor. The exact amount of damage would be determined after an investigation.

Asked whether the warehouse had a fire safety licence, Jahed said: “They applied for one a few months ago, but the licence was not issued because they did not have fire safety approval.”