An arson attack struck the Lakshmipur district election office early Saturday after an intruder poured petrol and set fire to the building, officials said. The blaze damaged important documents kept in a ground-floor storeroom before staff brought it under control.

The incident occurred in the early hours today, December 13. Fire Service teams were alerted, but office staff extinguished the flames before firefighters arrived.

District Returning Officer S M Mehedi Hasan and District Election Officer Md Abdur Rashid confirmed the incident after visiting the site along with the district administrator and police officials.

Witnesses and election office sources said a young man entered the premises around 3:55 a.m. by climbing over the security gate. He broke a ground-floor window of the election office and poured petrol inside before setting it on fire.

The suspect fled after the office security guard noticed the fire and raised the alarm. Election office staff later informed the Fire Service.

Upazila Election Officer Faroque Hossain said some voter records from 2008–09 and an unused computer were destroyed. He said quick action prevented more serious damage and that legal steps would follow after an investigation.

Additional Superintendent of Police (Sadar Circle) Md Rezaul Hoque said police were conducting operations to arrest those involved.