Government officials and staff faced severe challenges in entering the Bangladesh Secretariat on Thursday morning after a devastating fire engulfed building No 7, disrupting regular operations.
The administrative hub, which typically operates with four entry gates, had only Gate 5 open for access, causing severe congestion, reports UNB.
The fire broke out at 1:52 am on Wednesday and engulfed the sixth to ninth floors of building No 7, housing offices of six ministries and multiple departments.
It took 19 firefighting units over six and a half hours to bring the blaze under control. While the cause of the fire remains unknown, the extent of the damage is yet to be determined.
Officials described the entry process as arduous, with long queues forming as identification cards were verified.
Adding to the challenges, curious onlookers gathered outside the secretariat, prompting heightened security measures. Police and armed forces were deployed to ensure order and safety.
Bd-pratidin English/Fariha Nowshin Chinika
