Massive Fire Erupts at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport; 28 Fire Units Deployed

A major fire broke out on Saturday afternoon (18 October) at the cargo section of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, disrupting flight operations and prompting a massive emergency response. According to authorities, 28 firefighting units have been deployed to bring the blaze under control.

Flights in and out of the airport were temporarily suspended as smoke billowed from the affected area, raising alarm across the facility.

The fire reportedly ignited at around 2:15 p.m. in a section of the airport’s import cargo complex, near Gate 8, which houses offices including Sky Capital.

Following reports of the fire, the airport’s internal fire section, along with units from the Bangladesh Fire Service, Bangladesh Air Force, and other emergency response teams, rushed to the scene.

Talha Bin Jasim, an official from the Fire Service and Civil Defence media cell, stated: “The fire originated near the Sky Capital office and the import cargo area. Initially, five units responded at 2:30 p.m., but due to the intensity of the blaze, the number of units was later increased to 28.”

Simultaneously, the Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) confirmed that two firefighting units from the Bangladesh Air Force joined efforts alongside the Civil Aviation Authority (CAAB) and Fire Service teams to contain the fire.

Kawsar Mahmud, a spokesperson for the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), confirmed the incident and said: “Firefighting units acted immediately, and all relevant agencies have been mobilised. There has been no report of casualties or significant damage so far.”

Airport authorities suspended flight operations as a precautionary measure while ensuring that passengers and staff were evacuated from nearby areas.

As of late afternoon, smoke levels had reduced, and firefighters managed to contain the flames to a specific section of the cargo complex, preventing wider damage.

In an official statement, the airport authority announced that a joint investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the fire and assess the extent of losses.

The statement read: “All relevant agencies are investigating the cause and scale of the incident. A detailed report will be shared upon completion of the initial inquiry. We urge everyone to remain calm and follow safety protocols.”

Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport serves as Bangladesh’s main international aviation hub, handling the majority of the country’s cargo and passenger traffic. The temporary suspension of operations has raised concerns over potential logistical delays, particularly in import and export shipments managed through the cargo section.

Authorities have assured that normal flight operations will resume once full safety clearance is obtained.

Source: Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), Fire Service and Civil Defence, ISPR, Dhaka Correspondent.