Fire at Gazipur Coil Factory; Former Islami Bank Chairman Arrested in Loan Scam Case

A massive fire broke out at the Standard Phoenix Coil Factory in Bagherbazar, Gazipur, on Wednesday afternoon.

The blaze started suddenly around 1 p.m., according to eyewitnesses. Security staff at the factory initially tried to control the flames but, as the fire intensified, they called the fire service. Four units from Joydebpur Fire Service rushed to the scene and managed to bring the fire under control after nearly two hours of effort. While parts of the factory were damaged, officials confirmed that a major disaster was avoided.

Meanwhile, in Dhaka, police detectives and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) jointly arrested Obaid Ullah Al Masud, former chairman of Islami Bank, in connection with a Tk 18.9 billion loan scam case.

He was detained from his residence in the capital on Wednesday morning by a team led by ACC Deputy Assistant Director Md. Shahjalal. Senior officials said Masud will be produced before the court later today.