A devastating fire that broke out at Building No. 7 of the Secretariat early Thursday destroyed everything on four floors—from the 6th to the 9th floor. During an on-site visit, it was observed that nothing remains intact on these floors, which have been reduced to ashes.
The affected floors housed key government offices, including the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Posts and Telecommunications Division, Local Government Division, Rural Development and Cooperatives Division, and Roads and Highways Division.
According to the Fire Service, the fire broke out just before 2:00 am on Thursday. After nearly six hours of effort, the blaze was brought under control at 8:05 am. However, it took a total of 10 hours to extinguish the fire completely.
However, a firefighter lost his life while responding to the blaze. Md Sohanur Zaman Noyon was struck by a truck early Thursday while crossing the road with a water pipe over his shoulder. Noyon, the son of Akhtaruzzaman from Atponia village in Mithapukur, Rangpur, was primarily stationed at the Bishwanath Fire Station in Sylhet but was temporarily attached to the Tejgaon Fire Station.