The usually bustling cargo village at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) turned into a scene of chaos and despair on Saturday afternoon, as a massive fire ripped through several warehouses, destroying imported goods worth crores of taka.
Among the hundreds of affected importers was Limon Hossain, a young businessman from Segunbagicha, whose voice broke as he described the loss. “My goods worth Tk 7 crore have been burnt to ashes,” he said while rushing to the airport on the metro, hoping against hope for some good news.
Limon had imported shoes, bags, and ready-made garments from China just last Wednesday.
The consignment, stored temporarily inside the cargo village, was scheduled for release after banking formalities were completed.
“The bank work was supposed to finish tomorrow. We planned to take the shipment out right after that,” he said. “But before we could even begin, the fire took everything. People inside confirmed it — there’s nothing left.”
He paused, struggling to find words. “Everything I’ve built over years — gone in a few hours. Dealers from all over the country used to buy from me wholesale. They will all suffer too. This isn’t just my loss; it’s the loss of dozens of small traders who depend on this supply chain.”
Limon urged the government to step in with emergency support. “We need help — financial, logistical, anything. This is a catastrophe for small importers. Without compensation, many of us won’t be able to recover.”
The Fire Service and Civil Defence received reports of the fire around 2:30 pm, according to duty officer Lima Khanam. “At first, four units were dispatched. As the fire spread rapidly, 24 more joined,” she said. “Later, teams from the Bangladesh Air Force, Navy, and Civil Aviation Authority assisted in controlling the blaze.”
Thick black smoke billowed over the airport area for hours, visible from several kilometers away. Firefighters struggled to reach the inner parts of the cargo complex due to stored flammable materials and narrow access points.
Officials said that several imported consignments — mainly garments, electronics, leather goods, and footwear — were destroyed. The exact cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed, but preliminary reports suggest it may have originated from an electrical short circuit in one of the bonded warehouses.
Importers and freight agents gathered outside the cargo gate, some in tears, others on their phones, trying to confirm the status of their goods. Several said that the fire would have a ripple effect on retail businesses across the country, as many small shops depend on imported inventory ahead of the festive season.
“This is not just an accident — it’s a national economic loss,” said one freight agent, declining to be named. “We need accountability. Fires like these happen too often in Bangladesh, and each time, small traders pay the price.”
After sundown, firefighters continued their operation under floodlights, trying to cool down the debris. For Limon Hossain and hundreds like him, however, there was little left to salvage — only ashes where years of investment once stood.
“It’s not just about money,” Limon said quietly. “It’s about dreams that went up in smoke.”