Acid barrel explosion causes fire at Benapole Land Port

A fire broke out at Benapole Land Port in Jessore as an imported acid barrel exploded, burning truckloads of valuables early yesterday.

Port Director Aminul Islam said trucks loaded with goods imported from India were staying at the truck terminal.

Illegally imported chassis of different vehicles and assembled motorcycles were kept inside the terminal. The barrel of acid was stored on the other portion, he said.

Around 3:30am, the barrel suddenly exploded and fell on a nearby goods-laden truck, said Aminul Islam.

Later, about 12 trucks with goods caught fire one after another. The valuables -- including cotton, yarn, motor parts, chemicals and motorcycles -- were burnt to ashes. Parts of the trucks were also damaged, he said.

Five fire fighting units from Benapole, Jhikargachha and Jessore stations rushed to the spot. They took three and a half hours to bring the blaze under control.

Aminul Islam, Sharsha Upazila Nirbahi Officer Pulak Kumar Mondal and officials of the local administration rushed to the spot.

The loss caused by the fire might be estimated at Tk 10 crore, said Aminul Islam.

No casualty was reported as no driver or any other were inside the trucks.

The Benapole Port authorities formed a three-member committee to probe into the incident. It was asked to submit a probe report within one day, said the director.