Customs agents allege delay in firefighting at Dhaka airport

The Dhaka Customs Agents Association (DCAA) has blamed the delayed response of the Civil Aviation Authority and the Fire Service for the severe damage to imported goods caused by a fire at the cargo village of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in Dhaka.

The association said the fire, which broke out yesterday afternoon, completely destroyed the complex and the imported goods stored there.

"Unfortunately, the Civil Aviation Authority and the Fire Service Department failed to arrive at the spot instantly to douse the blaze. This irreparable damage was caused due to the delay and a lack of coordination," said DCAA President Md Mizanur Rahman in a press release today.

However, briefing reporters today, Commerce and Civil Aviation Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin said firefighters from the Civil Aviation Authority reached the spot and began work within 30 seconds of the fire being reported.

A total of 37 units eventually joined the effort, with water supplied by WASA to help contain the blaze.

Responding to journalists, the adviser said all allegations would be investigated.

The DCAA said the import goods storage complex is completely unusable, and it will not be possible to resume import operations without reconstruction.

It urged the authorities to open a temporary import cargo storage facility to facilitate imports through the airport.

The association also called for the formation of an independent probe committee to determine the real cause of the fire.

"It may be a plot to cripple economic activities by inflicting damage on factories and import-export operations," the statement said.