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A fire broke out late Sunday night at an office of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) at the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project, damaging the server room and several adjacent rooms.
The fire, which started around 3am on September 6, destroyed computers, air conditioners, electrical equipment, important documents and components of internet servers. The incident came to light on Tuesday.
According to project sources, electricity supply to two BAEC buildings was cut off following the fire, while internet connections to several facilities within the project were also disrupted.
Around 40 hours after the incident, electricity and internet services had yet to be fully restored at several important project facilities, affecting regular operations.
Sources said the fire originated in the BAEC server room and quickly spread smoke and flames to nearby rooms. Four units of the Ishwardi Fire Service rushed to the site and brought the blaze under control after a prolonged effort.
Abu Hashem, senior station officer (onsite) of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant Fire Station, said firefighters responded immediately after receiving the alert. He said a preliminary assessment suggested that a short circuit may have caused the fire.
Shahidul Islam, station master of Rooppur Green City Modern Fire Service, said several computers, air conditioners, documents, electrical equipment and internet-server components were damaged.
The extent of the financial loss could not immediately be determined.
The prolonged disruption to electricity and internet services has reportedly affected routine activities at the nuclear power project. The damage to the server room has also raised concerns over the possible loss of important data, documents and technical equipment.
Project Director Dr Kabir Hossain could not be reached for comment despite several attempts to contact him by phone.