Initial probe report reveals loose electrical connection led to Secretariat fire

It was a loose electrical connection which led to the Secretariat fire, the investigation committee tasked with probing the incident has found.

In its primary investigation, it also did not find any indication of sabotage, said chief of the probe committee Senior Home Affairs Secretary Nasimul Gani at a press briefing held at the chief adviser's residence.

The committee is expected to submit the full report within the next 10 working days.

The fire broke out at 1:52am on 26 December at the secretariat's building 7, severely damaging floors six, seven, eight and nine and sparking widespread speculation about its origin.

It took 19 firefighting units around six hours to bring the flames under control and 10 hours to completely douse them.

The Road Transport and Highways Division on the eighth floor, along with the Posts and Telecommunications Division and the Local Government Division on the seventh floor of Building 7, suffered significant damage, according to officials.

They said this floor experienced the most intense fire, resulting in the destruction of office documents, furniture, and equipment. The fire also damaged the power and internet systems.

The sixth, eighth, and ninth floors also sustained damage. Officials from the ministries and the fire service are jointly assessing the extent of the losses.

While no casualties were reported from the fire itself, Shoyanur Jaman Noyon, 24, a firefighter from Tejgaon fire station was killed while on duty.

He was crossing the road to connect the water pipe with the pump when a truck ran over him.

The government also formed a eight-member committee to investigate the fire.