Regular activities of ministries and divisions at the Bangladesh Secretariat were interrupted on Thursday as fire broke out on building number 7 early on the day as most of the officers had no electricity supply.
Employees, visitors and journalists trying to enter the Secretariat were denied entry.
Officials and employees who entered the Secretariat were asked to leave as soon as possible.
Many employees were seen leaving through gates.
A good number of officers and employees skipped going to office after learning about the fire, said witnesses.
From around 1.50 am on Thursday, Bangladesh Police, Bangladesh Army and Ansar were deployed in and outside the Secretariat to ensure security.
The fire was controlled by 8 am and doused completely at around midday.
Huge number of journalists and visitors were seen to gathering outside of the Secretariat. Most of the reporters, especially TV crew were seen waiting for information and footage in front of Gate No. 5, which alone was open for entry and exit of officers and employees.
A Disaster Management and Relief Ministry official told this correspondent, "As most of the Secretariat buildings do not electricity supply, officers and employees left, as the authorities asked t them."
The Secretariat has 12 buildings and Building No. 7 where the fire broke out, houses Youth and Sports, Posts and Telecommunications and Information Technology, Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, Labour and Employment, Finance, Road Transport and Highways Division and some offices of Public Administration Ministry.
Home Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury visited the spot.
Frefighter Sohanuzzaman Nayan of the Tejgaon Fire Station lost his life hit by a truck and another firefighter suffered leg injury during dousing operation.
