A catastrophic fire at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Bangladesh has left the nation’s business community reeling, with potential losses estimated at over $1bn (£750m). The blaze, which erupted in the airport’s logistics section on Saturday, destroyed vast quantities of clothing, raw materials, and other essential goods, putting numerous businesses at risk. The fire, which took 27 hours to extinguish, forced the temporary suspension of flights and airport operations. Bangladesh, the world’s second-largest apparel exporter after China, relies heavily on its garment sector, which generates approximately $40bn annually and contributes over 10% to the country’s GDP. Local media reported that around 35 people were injured while battling the flames. The damaged cargo village, a critical logistics hub, stored fabrics, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and other goods, including samples crucial for securing new buyers. Inamul Haq Khan, senior vice-president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, highlighted that the destruction of these samples could jeopardize future business opportunities. The International Air Express Association of Bangladesh also confirmed the $1bn damage estimate in an email to the BBC. This incident marks Bangladesh’s third major fire within a week, following a deadly warehouse fire that claimed 16 lives and a factory blaze in Chittagong. Online conspiracy theories have linked these incidents, alleging they were pre-planned. Historically, such tragedies have been politicized, with parties accusing each other of exploiting disasters for political gain. The interim government has vowed to take immediate action if evidence of sabotage or arson is found. Frequent fires in Bangladesh are often attributed to poor infrastructure and lax safety enforcement, with hundreds of lives lost in recent years.