A fire that broke out at a shed of Benapole land port in Jessore was brought under control after six hours of frantic efforts yesterday morning.

Thirteen fire fighting units including one from India rushed to the spot and doused the fire around 10:00am, said Parimal Kundu, assistant director of Jessore Fire Service and Civil Defence.

One of the fire fighters was given primary treatment for minor injuries, he added.

Nearly Tk 100 crore worth of goods inside shed 23 as well as several Indian trucks were damaged in the fire, claimed Mafijur Rahman Sajon, president of Benapole C&F Agents' Association.

Nitai Chandra Sen, director of Benapole land port, told this correspondent that the fire originated from an electric short circuit inside shed 23 of the port around 4:00am yesterday.

Shipping Minister Sajahan Khan, Sheikh Afil Uddin MP of Jessore-1, Jessore Deputy Commissioner Humayun Kabir and Benapole Customs Commissioner Shawkat Hossain visited the spot. 

Three Probe Bodies Formed

Meanwhile, three separate committees have been formed to investigate the fire incident at the Benapole land port.

A three-member committee has been formed by shipping ministry with Joint Secretary Shihab Uddin as its chief.

Benapole port authority has formed a five-member committee, headed by Abdul Jalil, assistant director (operations).

Additional Commissioner Firoj Uddin of Benapole customs has been made head of a five-member committee formed by Bangladesh Customs authority.

All the probe committees will have to submit their reports within ten working days.