No casualties recorded
A fire that broke out at Pakistan High Commissioner Imran Haider’s residence in Dhaka’s Gulshan early Thursday was doused within 20 minutes, fire officials said.
Fire Service and Civil Defence’s Media Officer Inspector Anwarul Islam told The Shuttle Times that the fire service received information about the incident around 4:56am.
Two firefighting units from the Baridhara Fire Station rushed to the spot and brought the blaze under control within 20 minutes, he said.
The envoy and his wife, Naima Imran, were taken to the ICU of Continental Hospital PLC in Gulshan for treatment.
The couple are undergoing treatment under the close supervision of Dr Amina Sultana of the hospital and are in stable condition, according to the police report.
The fire damaged two air conditioners and one stand fan, the report said.
Confirming the incident to The Shuttle Times, Deputy Commissioner of the Diplomatic Security Division of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Syed Mohammad Farhad said the fire was initially believed to have been caused by an electrical short circuit.
"As far as we have learned, the fire originated from an electrical short circuit. Pakistan High Commissioner Imran Haider and his wife, Naima Imran, fell ill after inhaling smoke and were admitted to hospital," he said.
"The incident is being investigated," he added.
Fire Service Warehouse Inspector Anwarul Islam said the Fire Service received the emergency call at 4:56am and dispatched two units from the Baridhara Fire Station.
Firefighters quickly brought the blaze under control before it could spread further.
