Meghna oil depot fire kills two, injures nine in Khulna

Two people were killed and nine others injured in a fire at state-run Meghna oil depot in Khulna city's Khalishpur Industrial area yesterday.

The deceased are Kamal Sharif, 55, a meterman of the depot; and Razu, 25, a helper of a lorry driver, said Abdullah, assistant general manager of the depot.

The fire broke out following an explosion around 11:00pm while the tank lorry was being loaded with diesel and octane, Mosharaf Hossain, officer-in-charge of Khalishpur Police Station, told The Daily Star.

The nine injured -- all of them employees of the depot -- were rushed to Khulna Medical College Hospital. Three were in critical condition.

Five fire fighting units doused the blaze after an hour of efforts, said Rezaul Karim, assistant director of Khulna Fire Station.

He blamed negligence of officials concerned and a lack of fire safety measures for such a fire.

Residents of the area demanded a specialised fire station on the spot as there are three state-owned oil depots – Padma, Meghna and Jamuna.