Construction and commissioning operations at the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) remain completely unaffected following a localized fire in a temporary building at the project’s ‘Pioneer Base,’ according to a joint statement by the RNPP Project Authority and the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC).
Upon detecting the fire, project firefighting teams alongside local fire service units responded immediately, bringing the flames under control and extinguishing them completely. No casualties or injuries were reported. The incident caused partial damage to office furniture, documentation, and IT and communication equipment across two rooms in the temporary structure. Authorities confirmed that complete backups of all damaged documents and files are safely secured, ensuring zero disruption to official record-keeping, site management, or ongoing commissioning tests.
Preliminary investigations suggest the fire originated from an electrical fault in a split-type air conditioner’s indoor unit, though official inquiries remain underway. A high-level investigation committee has been formed in accordance with project fire safety protocols to determine the precise cause and assess material damages. The Ministry of Science and Technology and the BAEC are jointly reviewing the situation. Emphasizing that the incident was strictly confined to an auxiliary structure far removed from the core reactor complex, authorities urged the public to remain calm.
