Dhaka Division witnessed a surge in fire incidents with 603 occurrences in September.
The fires were largely attributed to negligence and mismanagement in firefighting systems, with many structures like multi-storied buildings and markets constructed haphazardly without proper firefighting provisions, the Fire Service and Civil Defense Media Cell said in a statement on Tuesday.
Among the 603 incidents, 155 took place in Dhaka City Corporation areas - 27 more than in August.
Nationwide, 1,577 fire incidents leading to 11 injuries and 4 fatalities were recorded in September.
According to the media statement, Mymensingh Division experienced 63 fire incidents, Chittagong Division 189, Rajshahi Division 225, Khulna Division 132, Sylhet Division 57, Barisal Division 60, and Rangpur Division 248.
Rising Fire Incidents in Key Dhaka Areas
Fire incidents have risen notably in different Dhaka City Corporation areas like Mirpur, Mohammadpur, Baridhara, and Uttara.
Data from the Fire Service and Civil Defence Media Cell indicates that out of 155 fires reported in the Dhaka City Corporation area, one led to a fatality while seven other incidents resulted in injuries.
A deeper look at the statistics reveals that areas such as Mirpur, Mohammadpur, Hazaribagh, Tejgaon, Baridhara, and Uttara in the capital are particularly prone to fires.
Specifically, in September, Mirpur, Mohammadpur, and Baridhara collectively reported 16 fire incidents.
Recent Incidents spark concern
Following fire incidents in Gulshan, Bangabazar, and New Market, the recent fire at Mohammadpur Krishi Market has heightened concerns about the need to enhance fire safety management in Dhaka.
Fire experts believe that without immediate and appropriate measures, preventing fire accidents will become challenging.
Addressing the rise of fire incidents and root causes
The former director of the Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence and now Managing Director of BM International, a fire safety organization, Major AKM Shakil Newaz (Retd) lauded the Bangladesh fire service for their efforts in fire response.
“The Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence is among the strongest in East Asia. However, strength alone cannot prevent all fire incidents. The collective efforts of the Bangladeshi people and relevant authorities are essential, with everyone operating diligently and with full awareness,” he said.
Major Newaz emphasized the importance of collaboration, saying: "The city corporations, deputy commissioners office, Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk), and fire service must work harmoniously.”
“Proper arrangements from city corporations, in conjunction with the fire service, are essential for effective fire prevention,” he said.
“Currently, many constructions proceed without an integrated firefighting system, which is a risky approach. Securing permission from Rajuk for building constructions should be obligatory, and there should be an overarching emphasis on increasing fire safety awareness across sectors - from educational institutions and hospitals to homes, markets, and hotels," he added.
Enhanced fire safety education needed
Major Newaz further said that an enhanced fire safety education is needed at school, primary, and secondary levels saying: “Such knowledge should be put into practice regularly.”
“Every organization must prioritize fire safety measures,” he said.
Reflecting on the global practices he observed, Major Newaz mentioned: "Hotels abroad typically provide guidelines on fire safety measures, a culture yet to be fully embraced in Bangladesh."
He reiterated the paramount importance of public awareness in preventing fire accidents, noting: "In the event of a fire, immediate action is crucial. Assistance from nearby sources is also essential since a fire can rapidly spread, especially given the current environmental conditions and the presence of flammable materials. Two decades ago, fires would take 17 to 20 minutes to spread; now, it can take as little as 3-4 minutes."
Major Newaz stressed the necessity of planned construction, saying: "Buildings and homes should adhere to established blueprints, ensuring they are fire-safe. This means obtaining the necessary approvals from Rajuk, the city corporations, and the fire service. Unified efforts from all concerned departments are essential for effective fire accident prevention."
September's accident overview
In September, the Fire Services and Civil Defence were actively involved in rescue operations across 787 distinct accidents throughout the country. This led to an alarming 777 individuals being injured and a devastating death toll of 184 people.
Road accidents were notably high, accounting for 590 of these incidents.
Other significant accidents included 10 due to gas cylinder explosions, 13 attributed to gas line faults, 15 related to elevator mishaps, and 19 incidents due to lightning strikes.
Drownings in rivers and other water bodies were distressingly common, with 115 such incidents reported, tragically taking 74 lives.
Focusing on the Dhaka City Corporation area, it experienced 49 varied types of accidents, resulting in 11 fatalities. Certain areas within the city corporation, such as Mirpur, Mohammadpur, Tejgaon, and Old Dhaka, saw a higher frequency of these accidents.
Dhaka Division had a total of 159 accidents, Mymensingh Division 55, Chittagong Division 102, Rajshahi Division 201, Khulna Division 88, Sylhet Division 27, Barisal Division 41, and Rangpur Division reported 114 accidents.
The Fire Service and Civil Defence added that they responded to 4,354 calls related to fires and various other accidents throughout the country in September.
Additionally, 1,098 patients were provided ambulance services, as per the 1,152 calls they received during this period.