Why fires start and how to bring them under control

Bangladesh has experienced several massive fires and explosions recently which has raised many questions and concerns among people.

Many are wondering why these incidents are happening and what one should do in case of such accidents.

The authorities have yet to determine the exact cause of some of the recent incidents, but, in most cases, the Fire Service and Civil Defence has blamed negligence and unawareness for them.

Fires occur all over the world during the dry season (October-April), officials say. But if people are aware they can be prevented to a large extent.

Dhaka Zone Assistant Director (AD) of the Fire Service and Civil Defence Md Aktaruzzaman talked about some of the main reasons for fires. A fire can originate from a stove, cigarettes, match sticks, mosquito coils, candles, kerosene lamps, short circuits, gas leakage, coal and flammable materials, playing with fire, and chemical reactions.

Fires are more common in homes and residential hotels. In these places, fires usually break out due to negligence. In addition, most people do not know what to do in the initial stage if there is a fire.

Md Aktaruzzaman said if someone discards a burning cigarette filter somewhere, fire can originate from it. “This is also the case with gas. During this season, everything is dry, so a fire can break out. But it does not happen during monsoon.”

What do we need to do if a fire breaks out?

If there is a fire somewhere, the first thing to do is to remove nearby flammable materials (things that burn easily).

The source of oxygen must be cut off in the fire.

If there is a fire from oil, water cannot be sprayed and sand must be sprinkled.

In case of a fire from gas leakage, doors and windows should be opened.

After the fire is brought under control, it should be cooled with water.

Taking precautionary measures

After cooking, the fire of the stove should be completely extinguished. If it is a gas stove, the gas should be shut off properly using the stove dial after cooking instead of blowing on it.

The kitchen doors and windows must be opened before lighting the gas stove.

Firefighting equipment (fire extinguisher, hose pipe), two buckets of water and sand should be kept in the building.

Children should be prevented from playing with fire.

The main electrical switch should be kept in a safe place and should not be placed in a place where there is unobstructed access. The main switch should be turned off at the beginning of an accident.

Firefighting equipment should be installed as per the rules imposed for business establishments. 

The building's electrical cables and fittings should be checked regularly by an experienced electrician.

Quality gas cylinders should be purchased from authorized distributors. The label and material safety data sheet should be read before using them.

Leakage of gas cylinders should be checked with soap foams.

Cylinders must be used to ensure that they are hydraulic-pressure-tested every three years.

AC units should be examined before turning them on again after they have been off for a long time.

How to understand whether a building is dangerous 

The senior fire service official said if a building is in a dangerous condition in terms of fire safety, members of the fire service can understand that only after they visit the place. However, the agency cannot say anything about the possible collapse of a building.

Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka Tribune

He also said that the engineers involved in the construction of the building can comment on it. 

At present there is no specialist (engineer) in the fire service. However, he said some steps that can be taken in advance in case of a fire or earthquake-

It is necessary to know whether the building has been constructed in accordance with the building code.

Check the risk factor of the building and take security measures accordingly.

If there is only one entrance and exit in a multi-storey building, it is risky.

High-rises are also risky if they do not have firefighting equipment.

If there are several exits to the building that are blocked with goods, that is also risky.

This fire service official believes that if buildings are constructed keeping these issues in mind, risks to human life and other damage will be reduced.

Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka Tribune

Mehdi Ahmed Ansari, professor of civil engineering at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet), said there is no way to know whether a building is good or bad just by looking at it from the outside. There is no way to know if it is risky without testing it. Evidence is required and calculations must be made to check whether a building is vulnerable.

He also mentioned that it is said without any proof that a crowded area like Old Dhaka is dangerous.

The Buet teacher opined that it cannot be said without testing. 

He also pointed out that only experts with 15 years of experience can say whether a building is dangerous or whether an establishment should be declared abandoned.

Recent massive fires and explosions 

So far 24 people have been killed in an explosion at a seven-storey building in the Siddikbazar area of Gulistan in Dhaka on March 7.

Besides, four people were killed in an explosion in a building named Shirin Mansion in the Science Lab area of the capital on March 5.

Meanwhile, at least five people were killed and over 30 were injured in a massive fire that broke out at an oxygen plant following an explosion there in the Kadam Rasul (Keshabpur) area of Chittagong's Sitakunda upazila on March 4.

Dhaka Tribune

Before that, two people were killed in a fire at a multi-storey residential building in the capital's Gulshan on February 19.