Dhaka: The fire at Bangladesh Bank’s headquarters in capital Dhaka’s Motijheel area on Thursday night originated from an electric short circuit at a water heater, said deputy director (Dhaka) of Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) headquarters Samarandra Nath.

Samarandra Nath, also head of the five-member probe committee formed by the FSCD, came up with the remarks while talking to reporters after visiting the spot on Saturday.

“We visited the spot from at about 11:15am to 2:00pm. After the visit, it seemed to us the fire originated from the electric short circuit at the water heater of the room as its wire was found burnt,” he said Samarandra.

Three computers, several chairs, tables and aluminum ceiling of the room were also burnt in the fire, which spread nearly 1000-1200 square feet, he said.

Responding to a question whether it any act of sabotage, Samarandra said they could not confirm it yet. “We’ll be sure about it after scrutinizing the CCTV footage of the bank whether the incident was accidental or subversive one.”

He hoped that they will be able to submit the investigation report by this week.

The fire broke out on the 13th floor of the 32-storey building of the central bank around 9:28pm on Thursday and it was put out around 10:38 pm.

Two committees -- one by the FSCD and another by the central bank -- have been formed to probe the fire incident.