Smoke scare at Shahjalal airport store building: fire service responds, authorities say there was no fire

A fire was reported at the store building of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the capital. The incident took place on Tuesday (October 20) afternoon. However, no significant damage was reported.

It was learned that after receiving news of a fire at the store building around 2pm that day, two fire service units reached the spot. The fire service responded quickly to a fire report at a sensitive installation like the country's main international airport.

After reaching the scene, the situation was brought under control within a few minutes, it was learned. The incident therefore did not grow, and no major disruption to the airport's normal operations was reported either.

But two different accounts have emerged about the incident. The airport's assistant director, Md Riaz Uddin, denied that any fire had broken out.

He claimed there was no fire there; rather, smoke had been created. The fire service took quick action and immediately brought that smoke situation under control.

In other words, according to the airport authorities, the incident was a case of smoke that was dealt with before it could turn into a fire. On the other hand, the dispatch of two fire service units shows the report was taken seriously.

Store buildings usually hold various airport supplies in stock. If smoke or fire occurs in such a building, there is a risk of it spreading quickly, which is why immediate action becomes essential on such reports.

No detailed information was immediately available on the cause of the incident or possible damage. Neither the airport authorities nor the fire service has yet given details on what created the smoke.

With no significant damage reported, there is relief for now. No major panic among passengers or airport staff was reported either.

What is awaited now is an investigation into the cause. If the authorities confirm the source of the smoke, it will become clear whether this was merely a minor lapse or whether the airport's fire safety arrangements need closer attention.