Fire at Rooppur Nuclear Project disrupts power, internet for 43 hours

A major fire broke out at the PIONEER Base of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project in Pabna early Monday (September 6), damaging a server room and several adjoining rooms and leaving electricity and internet services disrupted at key project facilities for more than 43 hours.

The fire started around 3am in the server room of the BAEC’s PIONEER Base, according to project sources.

Flames and smoke quickly spread to nearby rooms, damaging computers, air-conditioning units, documents, electrical equipment and internet-server components.

Four units of the Ishwardi Fire Service brought the blaze under control after a prolonged operation, fire officials said.

Pabna Fire Service Deputy Assistant Director Mohammad Sadekul Bari said the fire was initially suspected to have been caused by an electrical short circuit.

The exact cause will be determined after an investigation, he said.

Mohammad Shahidul Islam, station master of Rooppur Green City Modern Fire Service, said several computers, air conditioners, documents, electrical equipment and server components were destroyed. The extent of the financial damage could not immediately be assessed.

The fire also disrupted electricity at the PIONEER Base and two nearby buildings, while internet connectivity was cut at several project facilities. As of 9:30pm Tuesday—about 43 hours after the fire—electricity and internet services had yet to be fully restored at some key facilities, project sources said.

Offices of Nuclear Power Plant Company Bangladesh Ltd (NPCBL) and BAEC were among those affected. Electricity was also unavailable at the customs building and canteen, causing water shortages at the facilities.

The prolonged disruption has caused difficulties for workers amid hot weather and reportedly affected routine operations at the project.

Additionally, the damage to the server room has also raised concerns over the possible loss of important data, documents and technical equipment.

Project Director Dr Kabir Hossain could not be reached for comment despite several phone calls. He also did not respond to a text message seeking his comments on the incident.