‘Investigation to determine if Secretariat fire was sabotage’

The Home Affairs Adviser, Lieutenant General (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, said on Thursday that it will be determined after an investigation whether the fire at Building No. 7 of the Secretariat was caused by sabotage.

Speaking to reporters after inspecting the scene on Thursday morning, the Adviser said, 'We will form an investigation committee. The Cabinet Secretary has already been instructed to form a high-powered investigation committee.'

When asked whether the fire was part of a conspiracy or sabotage, he responded, 'I cannot comment before the investigation. I will provide information after the investigation.'

Regarding the fire at such a secure location as the Secretariat, he said, 'Accidents can happen anywhere. That’s why it’s called an accident. It can even happen inside the Secretariat, which is why fire service vehicles are stationed there.'

When asked if the Fire Service had provided any information about the source of the fire, the Adviser said, 'I will be able to provide details after the investigation.'

Asked whether he initially suspected sabotage, Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said, 'We cannot make any assumptions initially. We will be able to comment after the investigation.'

The Home Affairs Adviser also mentioned that one firefighter had died in a road accident while on duty. He was crossing the road with a water pipe towards the Secretariat when a truck hit him. He died on the way to the hospital. Additionally, two or three other individuals sustained minor injuries, but they are in good health.

Housing and Public Works and Ministry of Industries Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan was also present during the inspection.