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, UNB reports.
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.
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.
