HISA operations restored, probe committee formed

All operations of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) have been restored after the fire that broke out at 1.30 pm came under control at 3.05 pm.

“We have resumed normal operations of the airport at 4 pm as the fire was completely doused,” Civil Aviation Authority spokesman Rezaul Karim told BSS.

He added that the fire could not hamper the scheduled arrival and departure of flights despite fears it could delay particularly the departing flights.

The Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry has already formed a three-member probe committee headed by Deputy Director of Fire Service and Civil Defence Debasis Bardhan.

The committee also comprised with representatives from Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) and Airport Armed Police Battalion (APBn).

“The committee has been asked to submit report within seven working days,” said Major Shakil Newaj, deputy director (operations) of Fire Service and Civil Defence.

Earlier, Tarique Ahmed, ASP (media) of Airport Armed Police Battalion, told BSS that a fire broke out at the office of Air India located on the second floor of the terminal-1 around 1.30pm. “No casualty was reported,” he said.

The airport unit of Fire Service and Civil Defense rushed to the spot just after the fire broke out, Senior Instruction Officer of Uttara Fire Service Shafiqul Islam said.

Being informed, 10 units of Fire Service rushed to the spot from adjacent fire stations, he added.

“The airport's internal fire fighting unit doused the fire within a short time but 10 fire fighting units from the neighbourhood rushed to the scene as the smokes were being emitted profusely,” an airport official said preferring anonymity.

The elite anti-crime Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and striking forces of APBn laid a siege around the airport blocking its entry points as the fire fighters made hectic efforts to douse the fire evacuating passengers and non-essential staff from inside.

The airport authorities reopened the departure gate for the passengers to enter the airport after 4 pm.

Source: BSS