BSS-45 FR Tower tilted slightly: experts

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BSS-45

FR-TOWER-BUET

FR Tower tilted slightly: experts

DHAKA, March 31, 2019 (BBS) – Since the FR Tower was badly damaged by the fire and tilted slightly four days after the devastating inferno, it cannot be used before renovation, said experts today.

Earlier, a team involving experts from Bangladesh University Engineering Technology (Buet) and Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) was formed to assess the fire-ravaged building.

“Four days after the fire, the FR Tower was tilted slightly. Different floors of the building were damaged badly. That’s why the building is now risky,” said Prof MA Ansari of the Buet’s Civil Engineering Department after visiting FR Tower.

As several columns and slabs of the building have been affected, he said, at least 150 days will be required to renovate the building.

Prof Ansari, who is leading the six-member team, said the emergency exits in the FR Tower were very narrow and there was only one fire door on one of the floors. “Several flaws were also detected. The building cannot be used before renovation,” he said.

Terming the FR Tower as risky, the Buet professor said the team will work on whether the tower could be renovated following the building code or not.

He said the team will place an initial report within three days before Rajuk.

Earlier, the team member entered the FR tower at 9:30 am today and went round different floors of the building.

A total of 26 people were killed and 70 others injured in the deadly blaze on Thursday.

BSS/CORR/MRI/KU/1927 HRS