While Secretariat Was Burning, Police on Duty Were Asleep at the Gate

Staff Reporter

While the Secretariat was burning for hours, many nearby were unaware of the incident. Even the police on duty at the 5th gate were reportedly asleep. People in surrounding buildings and areas also did not realize what was happening until much later. Some learned about the fire in the morning, while others heard about it when they woke up.

The fire began late Wednesday night in the 7th building of the Secretariat. Despite the efforts of 19 fire units, the fire was fully brought under control only by Thursday around 11:45 AM. The Fire Service reported that the 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th floors of the building were affected by the fire, with the most damage occurring on the 8th and 9th floors, where most of the documents were destroyed.

Directly opposite the Secretariat’s 5th gate, inside the National Press Club, there is an ATM booth of Agrani Bank. The booth’s security guard, Abul Hashem, shared his account of the events:

“I’ve been in charge of this booth for nine years. I was asleep inside the booth as usual. Later, around 8 AM, I heard about the fire. We typically don’t open the booth after 10 PM unless a familiar journalist comes. When I stepped outside in the morning, I saw the Fire Service and a crowd of people.”

Senior security guard at the Press Club, Ramesh Chandra Shil, who was on duty that night, described how he learned of the fire:

“We were inside the Press Club. Around 3:30 AM, I received information about the fire from one of our night checkers, Sujan. I rushed out immediately and saw a fire truck had arrived. But when we looked towards the 5th gate, the police officers on duty were asleep. We could see the fire burning from the outside.”

Another security guard at the Press Club, Panna, corroborated the account, stating that they were unaware of the fire until the night checker alerted them at around 3 AM. They then went out to witness the fire.

Delwar Hossain, a tea vendor in front of the Press Club gate, mentioned that the shop was closed at night and he wasn’t around. He only learned about the fire in the morning.

A seven-member investigation committee has been formed, led by Additional Secretary (District and Field Administration) Mohammad Khaled Rahim, to probe the incident. The committee has been instructed to submit its report within seven working days.

Senior Chief Petty Officer of the Bangladesh Navy, Mohammad Aminul Islam, has suggested that the fire might have been planned. He said, “Based on the situation inside, I believe the fire was not caused by a short circuit. It appears the fire started at multiple locations.”

He further explained, “If it had been caused by a short circuit, the fire would have started from a single point. The fact that it started in multiple places leads me to think it was a deliberate act.”

Meanwhile, rumors have been circulating on social media regarding the fire at the Secretariat. In several photos and videos, Hasib, the coordinator of the government-opposed movement during the July-August protests, is seen in the vicinity of the Secretariat just minutes after the fire broke out. A fire service worker was killed by a vehicle, and Hasib was seen near the scene. This has raised questions about why Hasib was there at such a late hour.

It is noteworthy that Hasib had previously stated in a private TV talk show that without incidents like police killings and fire in the metro, the movement would not have succeeded. Netizens are questioning how the Fire Service and cameras arrived within two minutes of the fire starting, suggesting that Hasib could not have left the scene in time. Some have even called for him to be questioned.

While the Secretariat was burning, the police on duty at the 5th gate were reportedly unaware, and nearby people came out to see police officers asleep. Only one fire service vehicle had arrived by that time. It is known that the fire started at 1:50 AM on Wednesday, December 25. The Fire Service was notified at 1:52 AM, and they arrived at the scene by 1:54 AM. During the process of setting up water supply, firefighter Sohan tragically lost his life after being hit by a vehicle. At the same time, Hasib was reportedly seen near the site.

The question arises: when people in the area were unaware of the fire, why was Hasib present there?