The fire at the Bangladesh Secretariat, the country’s administrative nerve centre and a Key Point Installation (KPI) area, has raised serious concerns among political leaders, administrative officials and people from various professions, many of whom suspect it was a planned act. The late night blaze, which broke out on Wednesday (Dec 25) in the Secretariat’s Building No. 7, has left the nation, including the government’s high-ranking officials, deeply worried. The fire destroyed vital documents of five key ministries and prompted questions about whether this was an accident or a deliberate act of sabotage. Suspicions of Sabotage Witnesses and officials working in the Secretariat expressed doubts about the nature of the fire. Witnesses said that the fire started simultaneously in two separate locations, further fuelling suspicion. Many questioned how such an incident could occur in an area with strict security measures, including numerous security guards and personnel from intelligence agencies. Former officials and fire experts also raised questions. Brigadier General (retd) Ali Ahmed Khan, a former Director General of Fire Service and Civil Defence, told UNB, “This is not a simple accident. Fires like this are rarely accidental. The way the fire spread simultaneously in multiple places indicates deliberate arson.” He pointed out that, as a KPI area, the Secretariat is under constant surveillance. “There were over 100 security personnel inside and outside. How could no one notice the fire at its early stages? This raises serious doubts,” he added. Brigadier General (retd) Abu Nayeem Md Shahidullah echoed these concerns, calling the incident a “clear case of sabotage” and suggesting the fire was intended to destroy important documents needed for ongoing investigations. Concerns About Security and Firefighting Major (retd) AKM Shakil Nawaz, a former Director of Operations at Fire Service and Civil Defence, criticised the delay in extinguishing the fire, which took over ten hours. He said, “This is unbelievable for a KPI area. Fires caused by accidents usually occur in one place, not three simultaneously.” Fire Service officials admitted that they faced challenges entering the Secretariat premises due to the size of their vehicles. Read: Secretariat fire: Administrative Service Association demands punishment for perpetrators Brigadier General Muhammad Zahid Kamal, the current Director General of Fire Service, explained, “We had to break gates to allow larger vehicles inside. Despite deploying 20 units, the fire engulfed four floors entirely." Impact on Ministries and Investigations The affected floors housed critical departments, including the Youth and Sports Ministry, the Labour and Employment Ministry, the Local Government Division, and the Road Transport and Highways Division. The destruction of important files has sparked fears of setbacks in administrative and legal processes. In response, several committees have been formed to investigate the fire. An internal committee by the Fire Service, a government-formed high-level investigation team, and additional committees within individual ministries will submit reports within a few days. Political Reactions The fire occurred amid ongoing unrest within the administration, including demands for the resignation of the Chairman of the Public Administration Reform Commission. Some political leaders and activists have linked the incident to broader conspiracies. BNP leaders, including Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, expressed doubts about the timing of the fire. “This fire, destroying vital documents, comes after demands for critical files. People have serious questions about this incident,” said Rizvi. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir called for a thorough investigation to identify those responsible. “This tragic incident, which has resulted in the loss of key documents, is deeply concerning,” he said. Government Response The interim government has assured people that the incident will be investigated thoroughly. Local Government Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan described the fire as a “planned conspiracy” and vowed to hold those responsible accountable. Read more: Secretariat Fire: 2 committees to assess damages to Labour Ministry documents, assets Meanwhile, Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said that CCTV footage from all affected offices is being analysed. A high-level committee, chaired by the Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs and including experts from the military, police, and academia, will submit a preliminary report within three days. Public Outrage and Social Media Reaction The incident has ignited widespread discussions on social media, with many expressing doubts about the official narrative. Some have criticised the government’s preparedness, while others questioned how such a devastating fire could occur in a highly secure area. Next Steps As investigations progress, the public and political figures await answers to the many questions raised by the incident. The committees’ findings will likely determine whether the fire was a tragic accident or part of a more sinister plot. Read more:  Initial report on secretariat fire to be submitted in 3 days: Rizwana The fire serves as a grim reminder of the vulnerabilities within even the most secure establishments and the need for heightened vigilance in critical times, experts said.

The Rural Development and Cooperatives Division under the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives has formed a 7-member committee to investigate the fire incident at a building of the Bangladesh Secretariat. The Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives issued a notification in this regard on Thursday. The seven-member committee, headed by Additional Secretary (Administration-2) Mohammad Shafiul Arif, has been tasked with identifying the cause of the fire and assessing the damages. The other committee members are  Zahidul Islam, joint secretary (law and administration); ASM Hasan Al Amin, joint secretary (administration); Subrata Kumar Sikder, joint secretary (planning); Dr Ashok Kumar Biswas, deputy secretary (administration); Engineer Md Monayem Chowdhury, system analyst; Rahima Akhter, deputy secretary (administration). Fire and power disruptions hamper secretariat operations The committee has also been authorised to co-opt additional members if necessary and instructed to submit a report to the Secretary of the Rural Development and Cooperatives Division.

Government officials and staff faced severe challenges in entering the Bangladesh Secretariat on Thursday morning after a devastating fire engulfed Building 7, disrupting regular operations. The administrative hub, which typically operates with four entry gates, had only Gate 5 open for access, causing severe congestion. The fire broke out at 1:52 am on Wednesday night and engulfed the sixth to ninth floors of Building 7, housing offices of six ministries and multiple departments. It took 19 firefighting units over six and a half hours to bring the blaze under control. While the cause of the fire remains unknown, the extent of the damage is yet to be determined. Officials described the entry process as arduous, with long queues forming as identification cards were verified. Read: Firefighter dies after being hit by truck during Secretariat blaze Adding to the challenges, curious onlookers gathered outside the Secretariat, prompting heightened security measures. Police and military personnel have been deployed to ensure order and safety. The building 7 accommodates ministries like Youth and Sports; Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology; Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives; Labour and Employment; and the Ministry of Finance. Except for Building No. 4, the remaining nine buildings of the Secretariat experienced a power outage for 10 hours, disrupting official activities. By 1pm, when this report was filed, power had only been restored to Building 4, and most offices in the Secretariat remained closed. Many officials and staff were seen leaving after waiting for hours. Some officials stated that although they were allowed to enter the Secretariat, they were unable to access their offices as the doors were locked. Muhammad Jahed Kamal, Director General (DG) of the Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD), explained that the power supply was cut off as a precautionary measure to prevent any further incidents. He also said that 211 firefighters from 20 units were deployed to extinguish the fire.

A high-level committee has been announced to investigate the devastating  fire that swept through four floors of the building number 7 of Bangladesh Secretariat. Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said this at a briefing in front of the Secretariat on Thursday morning. Fire at Bangladesh Secretariat building brought under control after six hours The committee may comprise 5 to 11 members, he said. Housing and Public Works Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan was also present at this time. Huge fire engulfs Secretariat's Building No.7

All the gates of the Bangladesh Secretariat, the hub of government administration, were closed on Thursday  after last night's huge fire at the building number 7. The fire that swept through the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th floors of the building was brought under control early Thursday after six hours of efforts. Fire at Bangladesh Secretariat building brought under control after six hours Nineteen units of fire service took part in the fight to tame the blaze. Army and paramilitary BGB members were deployed at the gates besides a large number of law enforcers as many office goers were seen waiting to enter their offices. Huge fire engulfs Secretariat's Building No.7 Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and Housing and Public Works and Industrial Affairs Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan visited the spot.

The fire that broke out in building number 7 of Bangladesh Secretariat has been brought under control, the Fire Service said on Thursday. It took 19 units of the fire service and scores of fire fighters at least six hours to tame the blaze.  Inspector Anwarul Islam of the Fire Service and Civil Defence's media cell said 19 units worked to extinguish the fire. Huge fire engulfs Secretariat's Building No.7 The fire was brought under control at 8:05 am Thursday, he added. Fire fighter, identified by one name Nayan, died during the efforts to control the blaze, officials said. The fire service received information about the fire at the Secretariat building shortly after midnight of Wednesday. The fire service unit at the Secretariat tried to control the fire from 1:54 am. A few minutes later, as the intensity of the fire increased, 19 units reached the spot and started working to control the fire. Govt condemns arson attack on Tripura community's homes in Bandarban At around 8:30 am, some smoke was seen rising from the space between the 8th and 9th floors on the east end of building number 7. The fire department men are still working there. Besides, members of all the forces have also been deployed.

The rally announced by the employees of Bangladesh Secretariat for Wednesday inside the Secretariat to press home a nine-point demand has been postponed. Bangladesh Secretariat Officers and Employees United Council president Md. Badiul Kabir announced the decision on Sunday at a press briefing following a meeting with the Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration and the Land Secretary at the Secretariat. The council had earlier planned the rally to demand financial benefits for ‘long-deprived’ officials, a 50% dearness allowance until a new pay commission is formed, reinstatement of the time scale and selection grade, reintroduction of rationing, an increase in the retirement age, changes to designations, and timely promotions. Deputy Governor Nurun Nahar removed from 2 key departments Kabir said, "Tensions has been rising within the Secretariat. Our demands were acknowledged as logical during discussions with the Public Administration Secretary, Land Secretary, and other senior officials. They assured us that these issues would be addressed in phases through dialogue. Thus, we have decided to suspend the rally." Senior Secretary of the Public Administration Ministry Md. Mokhlesur Rahman said over 2,000 administrative and personal staff members at the Secretariat have long been deprived of pay raises and promotions. HC acquits Tarique Rahman, others in Aug 21 grenade attack cases "The nine demands are reasonable and achievable though fulfilling some will take time. While certain issues can be resolved immediately, others require long-term planning," he said. Land Secretary ASM Saleh Ahmed said, "We discussed the employees' demands and will implement them in phases. However, some legal complexities require consultations with the Chief Adviser."

The officials and employees of Bangladesh Secretariat have announced a demonstration inside the Secretariat next Wednesday to press a nine-point demand, including pay scale adjustments, removal of inequalities and improved benefits. The decision was announced on Thursday during a rally organized by the Secretariat Officials and Employees Joint Council led by its president Md Badiul Kabir. Announcing a general assembly next Wednesday, Kabir said, “We are protesting to achieve our demands. We urge to implement our demands without delay.” The demands include the formation of a National Pay Commission, reducing the number of pay grades from 20 to 10, implementing a 50 percent dearness allowance before rolling out the full Pay Commission, upgrading the 20th-grade positions (office assistants) to the 17th grade and 10th grade to 9th grade. Their other demands are: restoring the time-scale and selection grade system for all grades, introducing a 100 percent pension gratuity scheme, exempting annual incomes up to Tk 5 lakh from tax, increasing the retirement age from 59 to 62 and offering Secretariat employees allowances similar to those at the President's office and rationing facilities akin to the Defense Ministry. The rally also demanded the removal of a joint secretary accused of delays and misconduct in addressing their grievances. Garment workers block Dhaka-Tangail highway in Gazipur over unpaid wages The council called for the cancellation of discriminatory orders imposed during the previous regime and the implementation of seniority-based promotions. The event was attended by the council’s secretary general Md Nizam Uddin Ahmed and presided over by Md Badiul Kabir.  

Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder on Monday warned that the government will take stern action against anyone found hoarding rice stocks. He told the corporate organizations that they should refrain from buying paddy by competing in the market. From a national tragedy to technological triumph: Sajeeb Wazed’s journey in Bangladesh’s transformation The minister was talking at a meeting with the representatives of six corporates of the country in his office at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Monday afternoon. The food minister said, "I had a meeting with the millers and they said that the corporates are competing and are buying paddy and stocking it." "They (millers) point the finger at you. We want to know the real facts," the minister added. Mild cold wave sweeps Rangpur, Rajshahi divs, some districts: Met Office He said that rice is available in the market under different brand names, on which the maximum retail price is written. "We also want the attachment of the millers' price. If so, retailers cannot raise prices suddenly or unreasonably," he mentioned. Food Secretary Ismail Hossain said that regular monitoring is being carried out to see if anyone is buying paddy or rice for illegal stockpiling. “If someone tries to store beyond the capacity, we will review the storage capacity if necessary.” Woman crossing the road dies after truck hits her in Dhaka’s Demra Representatives of City Group, Square, Pran RFL, Meghna Group, ACI and Akiz Essential participated in the meeting. At that time, they agreed to write the price of the millers on the sack and assured their full cooperation.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday directed the Home Minister to hunt down those who were involved in the recent communal attacks in the country and take stern action against them. “She has again given a clear instruction to the Home Minister to take stern action against those who were behind the incidents as soon as possible completing investigations,” said Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam replying to a question at a briefing after the virtual Cabinet meeting. Read: Rangpur: 1 arrested in Joypurhat under DSA, 42 for arson He said the religious and political personalities were simultaneously requested to raise public awareness and not to react to anyone’s small twist of act. The Prime Minister chaired the Cabinet meeting joining it from her official residence Ganobhaban. Other cabinet members were connected from the Bangladesh Secretariat.