The fire that broke out at Bangladesh Bank (BB) has led to several questions being asked, as such a serious matter has allegedly been dealt with in the most “unsophisticated” way possible at an important and sensitive establishment like the country’s central bank. When the blaze broke out at around 9:20pm on Thursday night in the room of Masud Biswas, the general manager of the Foreign Policy Exchange department on the 14th floor of the 30-storeyed building, none of the central bank officials immediately informed the Fire Services and Civil Defence (FSCD).
It has been learnt from the FSCD control room that it received more than four calls—all from members of the general public—by 9:30pm. The fire services immediately dispatched a total of 12 units to douse the fire. FSCD director-general Brig. Gen. Ali Ahmed Khan later confirmed to The Independent that none of the central bank officials had informed the FSCD about the fire.
Though it was the first night of a long three-day weekend, and at that hour very few employees—including security guards and janitors—were present, such inaction on the part of the BB officials was questionable.
The FSCD DG disclosed that during the blaze, the fire alarm system of the central bank also did not work. “The fire alarm system installed at the central bank is not as sophisticated as it should be,” he said.
However, what has raised eyebrows is the similarity between the fire and the infamous central bank heist last year, both of which occurred at the beginning of a long weekend. When queried, state minister for finance MA Mannan on Thursday night told the media that he could not comment on such a coincidence.
He, however, termed the incident of a fire at such an establishment as “unfortunate”. He also assured media-persons that a proper investigation will be conducted.