A few hours after the deadly fire at six tin-shed markets of Bangabazar in Old Dhaka, an angry mob attacked the head office of the Fire Service and Civil Defence. They broke the glasses of the building in front of the main gate and the reception room.
At least 11 fire trucks and ambulances inside the compound were damaged by the bricks and stones thrown by the crowd. Some firemen were also beaten up.
The incident took place around 9:20am on Tuesday. Later, police and Fire Service workers brought the situation under control by baton-charging the crowd.
Witnesses and several businessmen of Bangabazar said that the fire started at 6:10am and the first Fire Service team arrived at the scene at 6:12am.
Bangla TribuneThe main office of the Fire Service is located on the opposite side of the accident site on Kazi Alauddin Road in Old Dhaka.
Traders blamed firefighters for the huge damage even though they had arrived on time.
They claimed that the Fire Service officials had not taken the fire seriously at first, which was why such a big accident had happened.
According to some businessmen, there was no water in the Fire Service pump. Later, the firefighters brought water from the Fazlul Huq Muslim Hall pond using seven pumps while a helicopter was also used to bring water from Hatirjheel.
At least 48 units of the Fire Service and members of the army, navy, air force and other forces joined the rescue. Besides, RAB, army, air force, navy, BGB and Ansar personnel were also there.
One affected businessman, Hossain, said: “When we informed the Fire Service, they came with bottles (fire extinguishers) to put out the fire. But it did not work. Then we requested them to bring water trucks, but they replied that they had no permission from the higher authorities.
Bangla Tribune“The order is coming after 7 o'clock but there was no pressure in the pipes. The main office of the Fire Service is here, and yet they say there is no water in their pumps. This is really unfortunate.”
Witnesses say that due to the delay in taking action, at one point the angry crowd and businessmen started pelting stones at the office. At the time, announcements were made using megaphones to prevent vandalism, but the angry crowd did not take it into account.
At least 11 vehicles were damaged in the attacks when several firefighters were beaten up. Later, army, RAB, police and BGB members arrived and brought the situation under control, a Fire Service official said. Videos of the incident were also seen on social media.
Fire Service Deputy Assistant Director (Media Cell) Md Shahjahan Sikder said a five-member committee had been formed to investigate the fire. “After investigation, we can determine the damage. I cannot say anything about it at the moment.”
Director General Brig Gen Md Main Uddin was astounded by the attack. “Our workers protect you with their lives. Why were they hurt? Who carried out this attack? Who are these rowdy people? Why did they behave like that? Why did they vandalize the vehicles that are used to save the precious lives of people?” he asked.
After the fire was brought under control in the afternoon, he said: “On April 2, 2019, we declared this building extremely dangerous and hung a banner. After that, we gave notices 10 times. We did everything we could, but business was going on here.”