A fire broke out at the Balaka Lounge in the departure terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka late Friday night.
The incident caused the lounge and nearby areas to quickly fill with smoke, triggering panic among passengers and other people present at the airport.
An operator at the airport’s Fire Service Station confirmed the incident to Dhaka Post, saying six fire service officials went to the lounge after receiving the alert. Details of the incident were not immediately available.
A witness said smoke was suddenly spotted inside the lounge, and within moments, the entire area became engulfed in smoke. People inside the lounge panicked and many moved to safer locations.
Fire service personnel later began efforts to bring the blaze under control.
According to a responsible source at the Fire Service, the fire originated from a cable in the kitchen of the Balaka Lounge. The flames spread quickly, but members of the airport’s in-house fire service unit reached the scene and brought the fire under control.
Passenger services at the Balaka Lounge were temporarily suspended during the incident.
The Balaka Lounge, located in the departure terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, provides passengers with a place to wait and rest. The lounge offers facilities including seating, waiting areas and food services.
