Civil Aviation Authority Bangladesh (CAAB) Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md. Mustafa Mahmud Siddique said, the fire at the cargo village of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport seems to have started from the import courier section. We are not sure about this. Initially, this is what is being thought. Many organizations are working on the matter. After their investigation, the real and certain cause of the fire will be known.

He made this statement at a press briefing held at the Bebichak headquarters on Tuesday (October 21) at 11 am.

He said that 15 flights were sent to different routes during the fire. And all the passengers who were stranded due to the suspension of flights at that time were sent to their designated destinations by 4 pm the next day.

The Bebichok Chairman said, “As soon as the fire broke out, the airport’s own fire unit reached the spot within 30 seconds. Later, more teams from the army, navy, air force and fire service joined and the fire was brought under control. The fire broke out at around 2:15 pm in the cargo terminal of Shahjalal International Airport—specifically in the import cargo terminal area. First, smoke was seen from the tower, then we immediately reached the spot after receiving the news.”

He said, “Initially, it is believed that the fire started in the import courier section. However, this is still under investigation. Multiple investigation committees have started their work. They will find out the exact cause. It would not be right to make any comments without reliable information.”

Mustafa Mahmud Siddique said, “At the time of the fire, there was an aircraft hangar on the north side and the main terminal building on the south side, but with our utmost efforts, the fire did not spread to those parts. By the grace of God, there was no loss of life.”

He said that gradually the Navy, Army and Fire Service also joined the rescue operation. Within 10 minutes, three fire vehicles arrived from the Air Force’s AK Khandaker base. Within 20 minutes, two vehicles from the home air base also joined. In total, more than 40 firefighting vehicles participated in the firefighting operation. The fire was quickly brought under control with the combined efforts of the forces.

The chairman said, “There were several aircraft inside the terminal when the fire broke out. We quickly moved them to a safe place so that there was no risk of the fire spreading. We were able to control the fire by using cut-off mechanisms on both the north and south sides. A major disaster was averted due to everyone’s concerted efforts,” the chairman said.