Officials of Canadian company Niko or Bapex (Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration Corporation) were yet to take any steps to extinguish the fire that started in a relief well following an explosion in the early hours Friday.

Panicked people of the nearby villages demonstrated in the area yesterday afternoon, demanding adequate safety measures in and around the gas field. They also demanded adequate compensation within three days as the blowout and fire forced them out of their houses.

In a bid to pacify the demonstrators, Niko officials and the administration assured them of taking necessary measurers soon after consultation with the higher authorities.

Security forces including police and Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) meanwhile cordoned off about two square km area around the gas field on safety grounds.

Inhabitants of several villages nearby, including Girishnagar, Koiajury, Shantipur, Ajabpur and Alipur, have left their houses in fear. Almost all shops at Tengratila Bazar close to the gas field site have also been shut.

A team of experts yesterday flew to Tengratila to see for themselves the situation and decide on remedial measures.

Bapex Managing Director Jamaluddin, quoting Niko officials, claimed there is no possibility of spread of gas this time, unlike in the January 7 explosion at the gas field.

The rig tower fell down after it melted due to excess heat of the flame.

He also claimed that the extent of damage this time would be much less than that in the January incident. But he declined give details until a survey is made.

A Niko official told The Daily Star yesterday it will take at least two to three days to ascertain the position of the relief well where the explosion took place.

Requesting anonymity, he said gas has not spread that much to the surface and it is coming out with heavy pressure only through the drilling pipe. "We will have to arrange drilling another relief well for sealing the first relief well that suffered a blowout on Friday. But we will have to wait for a few days for taming of the fire," he added.

The company also plans to engage a fresh drilling company, replacing the US firm Parker, for the job as sub-contractor, the official said.

Local lawmaker Kolim Uddin Milon said people of the area are too agitated as they are yet to get compensation for the previous explosion. Different affected institutions have also not received compensation.

Quoting advisor for energy Mahmudur Rahman, he however said compensation for the educational and other institutions would be given tomorrow.

The advisor will visit Tengratila gas field on the day.