Chattogram port has been saved from a catastrophic disaster. A container filled with deadly flammable material exploded and caught fire, but no major mishap occurred.
The fire broke out in a container at yard 8 of gate 4 in the port. The container contained deadly flammable sodium per carbonate tablets brought in as fish food. Fire service sources said the incident could have been caused by a temperature higher than the temperature at which such combustibles were supposed to be kept.
However, port and fire service officials are working to determine the cause of the fire. Port Chairman Rear Admiral M Shahjahan and other senior officials visited the spot.
According to sources, the fire broke out at around 9 am on Saturday in the container yeard no. 8 of the port adjacent to Gate No. 4. During this time a huge amount of smoke was emitted from the container. When the fire service was informed, 4 units of Bandar and Agrabad stations brought the fire under control at noon.
However, all the products inside the container were burnt. After the fire was brought under control, the members of Chattogram Port Traffic Department removed the containers from the slot and brought the container damaged in the fire safely to an empty yard adjacent to Gate No. 4.
The container was brought to Chattogram port from China on May 9 on a Cape Orient ship. The container is imported by Animal Health Products Limited And C&F Agent Badalland Company. A port official said the cause of the fire was being worked out by port officials.
