A six-member committee has been formed to investigate the incident and estimate the loss, Ali Hossain, managing director of the factory, told The Daily Star.

He said German experts, who supplied the compressor machine, have been called to repair it and estimate the extent of damage.

"After receiving the committee report we will be able to say when production can be resumed," Hossain said.

Narsingdi Deputy Commissioner Zillar Rahman, who visited the factory yesterday, said, "It may take more than two weeks to repair the factory."

Sources said the high-powered compressor of the ammonia plant suddenly burst, igniting fire at around 2:45am on Sunday.

Firefighters from Narsingdi and Palash stations rushed to the spot and extinguished the blaze after one hour.

The fire caused severe damage to the compressor machine of the 36-year-old factory, which is run under the supervision of Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation.

Hossain said the factory with a production capacity of 1,400 tonnes a day can now produce only 1,000 tonnes.

He said there is a stock of 38,000 tonnes of urea in the factory. It can meet the agriculture ministry's 3-month demand.

Sources said the current Amon season might see fertiliser crisis if the factory remains closed for a few months.