Fire breaks out at Pakistan high commissioner’s residence in Dhaka

A fire broke out at the official residence of Pakistan High Commissioner Imran Haider in Dhaka’s Gulshan today (6 August), leaving the envoy and his wife hospitalised after suffering from smoke inhalation.

Confirming the incident to The Business Standard, Deputy Commissioner of the Diplomatic Security Division of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Syed Mohammad Farhad said the fire was initially believed to have been caused by an electrical short circuit.

“As far as we have learned, the fire originated from an electrical short circuit. Pakistan High Commissioner Imran Haider and his wife, Naima Imran, fell ill after inhaling smoke and were admitted to hospital,” he said.

“As this is a diplomatic residence, we cannot enter without permission. However, the incident is being investigated,” he said.

Fire Service Warehouse Inspector Anwarul Islam said the Fire Service received the emergency call at 4:56am and dispatched two units from the Baridhara Fire Station.

The firefighters brought the blaze under control quickly before it could spread. Although the fire was small, it generated heavy smoke, which was later removed using specialised ventilation equipment, he said.

According to the Fire Service, the blaze originated from a television set following an electrical fault.