A fire broke out at the food court on the fifth floor of Centre Point Shopping Mall in Dhaka’s airport area on Wednesday (9 September), prompting the Fire Service and Civil Defence to deploy five units to tackle the blaze.
The fire originated at the shopping centre opposite Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around midday. After receiving the emergency call, firefighters quickly reached the scene and began efforts to contain the flames. Four units were initially deployed, while a fifth unit was later sent to reinforce the operation as the situation developed.
Rosina Akter, a duty officer at the Fire Service headquarters, confirmed that four units were dispatched immediately after the fire was reported. An additional unit subsequently joined the firefighting effort, taking the total number of units involved to five.
Firefighters brought the blaze under control at around 1.40pm. No casualties had been reported in the immediate aftermath of the incident, while authorities had yet to determine the full extent of the damage.
Jisanul Haque, additional deputy commissioner for the Airport area under Uttara Division, confirmed the incident at around 1.45pm.
The fire caused temporary panic among employees working at various shops and food outlets inside the food court. The area houses several businesses, and the sudden outbreak prompted concern among those present. However, the rapid response by the Fire Service helped prevent the situation from escalating, according to sources familiar with the incident.
The exact cause of the fire remains unknown. Authorities are examining whether an electrical fault, kitchen equipment or another source may have been responsible for the outbreak. No conclusion has yet been reached regarding the cause.
The extent of damage is also being assessed. Officials will need to inspect the affected section of the food court to establish whether cooking equipment, electrical appliances, fixtures or parts of the structure were damaged by the fire. No confirmed estimate of financial losses was immediately available.
Fire Service personnel and law enforcement officers remained at the scene to monitor the situation after the flames were brought under control. Such follow-up monitoring is necessary to ensure that the fire does not reignite and that the affected area remains safe.
The incident took place in a busy commercial location directly opposite one of Bangladesh’s principal international airports. Although no casualties were reported, the fire highlights the importance of maintaining effective fire safety arrangements in commercial buildings where restaurants and food outlets operate.
Further information about the cause of the fire and the extent of the damage is expected after the relevant authorities complete their inspection and assessment of the affected area.
