What was stored in Dhaka airport’s cargo village that made the fire so severe?
At the initial fire site, there were highly flammable substances. Water applied there caused the fire to spread further, an official said
The fire at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport has caused significant damage, and authorities are still assessing the full extent.
The Bangladesh Freight Forwarders Association (Baffa) has said it is actively working to determine the scope of cargo loss. Speaking to The Business Standard this evening, the association's Director Nasir Uddin said, "So far, we know that goods stored by various international courier services have been heavily affected."
He added that there is a warehouse storing chemicals, "which we understand has also caught fire."
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Since Saturday afternoon, a massive blaze has been raging at the cargo village and its surrounding areas.
Over thirty fire service units are working to bring it under control, yet as of filing this report, the fire remains uncontained.
Despite the fire occurring in an open area, firefighting efforts have faced serious challenges, raising questions about what is stored in the cargo village and why controlling the fire has been so difficult.
Like most international airports, Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka's Uttara handles not only passenger traffic but also the import and export of goods.
While passengers move through the terminal, goods are transported via a separate, regulated process.
For imports or exports, all formalities with the Customs Department, Civil Aviation Authority, airlines, and other relevant authorities must be completed.
The area where these goods are handled is called the cargo village.
At this airport, the cargo village is situated between the import and export cargo buildings, primarily storing imported goods. Around the import building, recently arrived goods are temporarily kept for clearance. According to at least two Biman Bangladesh officials, the fire originated in an area where "dangerous goods" are stored.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a Biman official said, "I have worked at the airport for many years. Although we do not perform duties in the cargo village area, we have an idea of what is stored there. The place where the fire started usually contains flammable materials, including various chemicals, garments, plastic goods, and other items that can easily catch fire on contact with flames."
He added, "At the initial fire site, there were highly flammable substances."
Water applied there caused the fire to spread further, the official said. "A better approach would have been to assess the situation before starting firefighting operations."
Another official told TBs, "The fire did not initially break out in the cargo village. It first started among recently arrived goods in the import cargo area, and from there, it spread to the cargo village.
"All imported goods are stored in this area. However, the export cargo section has not yet been affected by the fire."
What's stored in a cargo village?
Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport's cargo village has separate zones for import and export. Recently arrived goods are stored around the import zone, while export shipments wait for air transport.
After customs clearance, importers or their representatives collect the goods. The duration of storage depends on the customs process.
The cargo village is a modern facility where all air-imported and exported goods are handled, stored, inspected, packaged, and cleared by customs. It serves as an integrated cargo hub next to the airport.
Key sections include import-export warehouses, cargo handling terminals, customs zones, specialized storage units, courier and freight offices (DHL, FedEx, etc.), security systems, and transport areas.
Perishable goods like fruits and vegetables are shipped or cleared within 24–48 hours and are stored separately.
Ready-made garments are often sent abroad within 2–3 days. However, export shipments sometimes wait in the cargo village for a few days due to limited cargo plane space, while importers may also wait until customs clearance is complete.
Officials warn that the recent fire could destroy hundreds of tonnes of imported goods, causing significant financial losses. Insurance claims for compensation are expected to take time.
One importer said, "I had five shipments, one in the cargo village, but I don't know about the others. If my goods are burned, I will be completely ruined."
