PM mourns Keraniganj fire deaths, orders probe, support for victims

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has expressed shock and sorrow over the casualties in a fire that broke out at a tin-shed factory producing gas lighters in Keraniganj on Saturday.

“Prime Minister Tarique Rahman mourned the deaths in the Keraniganj gas lighters factory fire and asked the authorities concerned to investigate the incident and provide necessary assistance to the victims,” Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibly told BSS on Saturday afternoon.

He said the prime minister spoke to Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain and directed him to ensure proper treatment for the injured.

Shibly added that Tarique Rahman also spoke to local lawmaker Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, the deputy commissioner of Dhaka district, the superintendent of police and the director general of the Fire Service and Civil Defence regarding the incident.

During the conversations, the prime minister instructed them to form separate probe bodies to investigate the incident and bring those responsible to justice.

Earlier, a fire broke out at the tin-shed factory in the Kadamtali Gol Chattar area of Keraniganj around 1:11pm, leaving at least five people dead.

According to officials, the blaze was brought under control around 4:44pm.