The fire at the BM container depot at Sitakunda in Chattogram has been brought under control, said Lieutenant Colonel Ariful Islam, commander of the 18th Brigade of the 24th Infantry Division of the Army.
Ariful Islam made the remarks at a press briefing at the gate of the depot on Tuesday (7 June) at around 11 am, 61 hours after the fire broke out.
The commander of the 18th Brigade of the Army’s 24th Infantry Division added that there was no risk of a new explosion at the depot.
The army has been assisting the fire service since last Sunday in the event of a horrific fire explosion at the depot.
Lieutenant Colonel Ariful Islam said that they are now working to control damage and pollution. Some containers are lying around in the depot. Some chemical containers have been identified.
Ariful Islam said that it is not yet certain how many chemical containers are in the depot. He said that a team of experts has come from Dhaka and is working in the depot.
The blast occurred after a terrible fire broke out at the BM container depot in the Keshabpur area of Sonaichhari Union in Sitakunda, Chattogram around 9:15 pm on Saturday.
At least 41 people, including nine members of the fire service, were killed in the blaze. The Chattogram district administration and the civil surgeon’s office put the death toll at 49 on Sunday night. They said on Monday that the count was incorrect and that the actual number of people killed was 41.
More than 200 people including fire service personnel, police personnel, depot officials, and employees were injured in the blaze.
