Dhaka, Oct. 17 -- The Fire Service says the factory building gutted in a fire in the Chattogram Export Processing Zone (CEPZ) did not have a fire safety performance certificate.

Fire Service Director (Operations and Maintenance) Lt Col Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury made the remark in response to questions from the media on Friday during an inspection.

"They applied for [a safety certificate for] this building. But no further activities were carried out. When applying, the design has to be submitted. Then we formed an inspection committee. The committee conducts an inspection and checks the design for congruity.

"Then the NOC was provided. The owners were then given time. They had to do the safety NCO and get the performance certificat...